Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Bad Parents?
11 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Bad Parents in the Bible
What does the Bible say about bad parents? Browse 14 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme.
Top 10 Verses About Bad Parents
- 1Exodus 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 - 2Psalms 27:10
“When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. take: Heb. gather me”
KJV - 3Proverbs 11:29
“He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.”
KJV - 4Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Train: or, Catechise in: Heb. in his way”
KJV - 5Isaiah 49:15
“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. that: Heb. from having compassion”
KJV - 6Ezekiel 18:20
“The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.”
KJV - 7Luke 17:3
“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”
KJV - 8Galatians 6:7
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
KJV - 9Ephesians 4:29
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. to: or, to edify profitably”
KJV - 10Ephesians 6:4
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Bad Parents? (6 Verses)
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
“When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. take: Heb. gather me”
“He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.”
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Train: or, Catechise in: Heb. in his way”
“Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. that: Heb. from having compassion”
“The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Bad Parents? (5 Verses)
“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. to: or, to edify profitably”
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
“Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Bad Parents
- 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
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about bad parents. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 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
Memorise at least one key verse about bad parents 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 bad parents 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 bad parents needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about bad parents 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 bad parents, 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 Bad Parents?
You have studied 11 verses about bad parents. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.