Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Authority Over Your Children?

12 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Authority Over Your Children in the Bible

Discover 14 powerful Bible verses about authority over your children. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential love & relationships topic.

12
Total Verses
6
Old Testament
6
New Testament

Top 10 Verses About Authority Over Your Children

  1. 1
    Exodus 20:12
    Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
    KJV
  2. 2
    Exodus 21:15
    And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
    KJV
  3. 3
    Deuteronomy 11:19
    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.
    KJV
  4. 4
    Proverbs 13:24
    He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
    KJV
  5. 5
    Proverbs 19:18
    Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. for: or, to his destruction: or, to cause him to die
    KJV
  6. 6
    Proverbs 22:15
    Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
    KJV
  7. 7
    Matthew 15:4
    For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
    KJV
  8. 8
    Ephesians 6:1
    Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
    KJV
  9. 9
    Ephesians 6:2
    Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
    KJV
  10. 10
    Colossians 3:20
    Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
    KJV

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Authority Over Your Children? (6 Verses)

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
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.
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. for: or, to his destruction: or, to cause him to die
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Authority Over Your Children? (6 Verses)

For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. have: or, guide

How to Study What the Bible Says About Authority Over Your Children

  1. 1

    Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.

  2. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about authority over your children. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 3

    Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.

  4. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about authority over your children and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.

Practical Application

Studying what the Bible says about authority over your children is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:

  • Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on authority over your children needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about authority over your children with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.

  • Pray through the key verses about authority over your children, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.

How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Authority Over Your Children?

You have studied 12 verses about authority over your children. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about authority over your children?
Discover 14 powerful Bible verses about authority over your children. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential love & relationships topic. The Bible contains 12 key verses about authority over your children spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about authority over your children are there?
There are 12 key Bible verses about authority over your children compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about authority over your children?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about authority over your children is Exodus 20:12 — "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."
Where in the Bible does it talk about authority over your children?
Authority Over Your Children is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 12 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

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