What Does God Say About Children? A Biblical Answer

TL;DR: God views children as precious gifts, worthy of welcome, teaching, and divine attention. Jesus himself insisted that children be allowed to come to him, declaring that God's kingdom belongs to 'such as these' Matthew 19:14. Scripture also calls grandchildren a 'crown' to the elderly Proverbs 17:6, and commands parents to teach God's ways to their children at every opportunity throughout the day Deuteronomy 11:19. Children aren't an afterthought in God's plan — they're central to it.

"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 19:14

This declaration from Jesus is one of the clearest statements in all of Scripture about how God values children. When his disciples tried to turn children away, Jesus corrected them directly and emphatically Matthew 19:14. He didn't merely tolerate children's presence — he made them a model for entering God's kingdom.

Luke's parallel account reinforces this point:

"Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." — Luke 18:16

The repetition across two Gospels underscores how seriously Jesus — and by extension, God — regards children Luke 18:16. Far from being marginal figures, children occupy a place of honor in biblical theology.

Protestant · Christianity

Protestant View: Children Are a Gift and a Responsibility

"And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." — Deuteronomy 11:19

Protestant theology has long emphasized that children are both a divine blessing and a serious responsibility. The Bible doesn't treat children as passive recipients of adult decisions — they're active participants in the covenant community, seen and known by God himself Exodus 2:25.

One of the most practical commands in Scripture concerning children appears in Deuteronomy 11:19, where God instructs parents to teach his words to their children continuously — sitting, walking, lying down, rising up Deuteronomy 11:19. This isn't a Sunday-only obligation; it's woven into the fabric of daily life. Protestant traditions, especially Reformed and evangelical streams, have taken this command seriously in practices like family devotions and catechism.

Proverbs 17:6 adds a multigenerational dimension:

"Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers." — Proverbs 17:6

This verse shows that God's design for children is relational and generational — children bring honor to grandparents, and godly fathers are a source of glory to their children Proverbs 17:6. It's a two-way street of dignity and honor within the family.

Taken together, these passages paint a consistent Protestant picture: children are welcomed by Jesus Matthew 19:14, taught by parents Deuteronomy 11:19, honored within families Proverbs 17:6, and seen by God Exodus 2:25. They're never an inconvenience in Scripture — they're a calling.

Key takeaways

Jesus explicitly welcomed children and declared that God's kingdom belongs to those like them — Matthew 19:14 and Luke 18:16 both record this teaching Matthew 19:14 Luke 18:16.
God commands parents to teach his words to their children continuously throughout every part of daily life, not just in formal settings — Deuteronomy 11:19 Deuteronomy 11:19.
Proverbs 17:6 teaches that grandchildren are a 'crown' to the elderly, showing that children hold a place of honor across generations Proverbs 17:6.
Exodus 2:25 reveals that God personally 'knew' and had respect for children — his care for them is intimate and covenantal, not abstract Exodus 2:25.
Across both Old and New Testaments, children are never peripheral in Scripture — they're welcomed, taught, honored, and seen by God himself.

FAQs

Does the Bible say children belong in God's kingdom?

Yes — directly and emphatically. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, 'Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven' Matthew 19:14. Luke 18:16 records the same teaching, using the phrase 'kingdom of God' Luke 18:16. Jesus wasn't speaking metaphorically; he was correcting his disciples who thought children were unworthy of his attention.

What does the Bible say parents should teach their children?

Deuteronomy 11:19 gives a sweeping command: parents are to teach God's words to their children at all times — 'when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up' Deuteronomy 11:19. This suggests that spiritual instruction isn't a formal event but a continuous, integrated part of family life throughout every part of the day.

Does God notice and care about children?

Absolutely. Exodus 2:25 records that 'God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them' Exodus 2:25. The Hebrew implies God 'knew' them — an intimate, covenantal awareness. This wasn't merely observation; it was the beginning of God's active intervention on their behalf. God's attention to children is personal, not distant.

What does Proverbs say about children and family?

Proverbs 17:6 presents a beautiful multigenerational picture: 'Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers' Proverbs 17:6. This verse teaches that grandchildren bring honor and joy to the elderly, while godly fathers are a source of pride for their children. God's design for children is deeply relational and spans generations.

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