Families are very important to people and are a big part of our lives and society as a whole. There are many teachings, stories, and wisdom in the Bible that show how important family ties are. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, God’s Word shows families how to work together, grow, and find power in Him. Come with us as we look at 50 Bible passages that talk about family. Each one has deep meanings and lessons that can be implemented by any family.
Bible verses from the Old Testament about family
(NIV) – “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
This verse stresses how important marriage is as the start of a new family.
(ESV) – “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
Honoring parents is a commandment with a promise of life and blessings.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV) – “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Parents are instructed to carefully teach God’s commands to their children.
Joshua 24:15 (NIV) – “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
A declaration of commitment to helping God as a family.
Psalm 127:3-5 (ESV) – “Behold, children are bestowed from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!”
Children are seen as a favor and blessings from God.
Proverbs 1:8-9 (NIV) – “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.”
Emphasizes the value of parental advice and wisdom.
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) – “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
Encourages parents to guide their children’s way early in life.
Isaiah 54:13 (ESV) – “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”
A promise of spiritual teaching and peace for children.
Proverbs 31:28 (NIV) – “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”
Highlights the honor and praise a virtuous woman gets from her family.
Malachi 4:6 (NIV) – “He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”
Speaks of healing within families as part of God’s restorative work.
Matthew 19:19 (NIV) – “Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.”
Reiterates the command to respect parents alongside the command to love others.
Mark 3:25 (ESV) – “And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.”
Stresses the value of unity within a family.
Luke 15:20 (NIV) – “So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with concern for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
The parable of the Prodigal Son shows forgiveness and reconciliation within the family.
John 19:26-27 (ESV) – “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, look, your son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.”
Jesus’ care for his mother at the cross illustrates the duty to care for family.
Acts 16:31 (NIV) – “They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Indicates the household gift of faith in Jesus.
Romans 12:10 (NIV) – “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Calls for love and mutual respect within the family.
Ephesians 5:25 (NIV) – “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
Husbands are called to love sacrificially like Christ.
Ephesians 6:1-4 (NIV) – “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
Encourages obedience in children and smart, gentle parenting.
Colossians 3:13 (NIV) – “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Highlights the importance of forgiveness in keeping family harmony.
1 Timothy 5:8 (NIV) – “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Stresses the duty of providing for family members.
Psalm 128:3 (ESV) – “Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.”
Describes the joys of a thriving family.
Proverbs 17:6 (NIV) – “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”
Celebrates the generational gifts and honor within families.
Matthew 5:9 (NIV) – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Encourages creating peace within the family.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV) – “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Defines love, the important element of family relationships.
Colossians 3:20 (NIV) – “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
Simple yet profound call for children’s devotion.
1 Peter 4:8 (NIV) – “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Love is essential in maintaining family bonds.
1 John 4:19 (NIV) – “We love because he first loved us.”
The basis of family love is God’s love for us.
James 1:27 (NIV) – “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Calls for care for vulnerable family members.
Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Encourages kindness and humility within the family.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) – “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Highlights the value of family gatherings and mutual encouragement.
Genesis 9:1 (NIV) – “Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.’”
God’s blessing of fruitfulness upon families.
Ruth 1:16 (NIV) – “But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.’”
Demonstrates the deep family loyalty and love.
1 Samuel 1:27-28 (NIV) – “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has given me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he praised the Lord there.”
The dedication of a child to God’s work.
Nehemiah 4:14 (NIV) – “After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, ‘Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.’”
This verse supports defending and protecting one’s family.
Job 1:5 (NIV) – “When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, ‘Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.’ This was Job’s regular custom.”
Job’s dedication to his family’s mental well-being.
Psalm 103:17-18 (NIV) – “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.”
Highlights the generational gift of those who follow God’s commands.
Proverbs 11:29 (NIV) – “Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.”
Warns against acts that harm the family.
Proverbs 15:20 (NIV) – “A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.”
Contrasts the effects of wise and foolish behavior on parental relationships.
Isaiah 49:15 (NIV) – “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!”
Uses the mother’s bond with her child to show God’s unfailing love for His people.
Jeremiah 31:1 (NIV) – “At that time,’ declares the Lord, ‘I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.”
God’s promise to be with the people of Israel.
1 Corinthians 7:3 (NIV) – “The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.”
Stresses mutual duties within marriage.
1 Corinthians 11:3 (NIV) – “But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”
Describes the order within family ties.
Galatians 6:10 (NIV) – “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Encourages doing good, starting with one’s immediate faith group.
Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV) – “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Calls for virtues that support family unity and peace.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Encourages families to turn to prayer and feel God’s peace.
Colossians 3:21 (NIV) – “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”
Advises against hard parenting to avoid discouraging children.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Promotes a supportive and encouraging family setting.
Titus 2:4 (NIV) – “Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children.”
Encourages older women to guide younger women in their family roles.
Hebrews 12:7 (NIV) – “Endure hardship as punishment; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not punished by their father?”
Highlights the value of discipline as part of God’s fatherly love.
3 John 1:4 (NIV) – “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
Expresses the joy parents feel when their children follow God’s truth.
Conclusion
God’s design for family is founded in love, unity, and purpose. From honoring parents and raising children to encouraging forgiveness and showing love, the scriptures provide an outline for building strong, resilient families. Let these verses guide and inspire you as you navigate the joys, challenges, and blessings of family life, knowing that God is the ultimate source of wisdom and strength in every season.
