Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Wayward Children?
13 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Wayward Children in the Bible
Discover 17 powerful Bible verses about wayward children. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential love & relationships topic.
Top 10 Verses About Wayward Children
- 1Deuteronomy 28:1
“And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:”
KJV - 2Proverbs 16:7
“When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
KJV - 3Proverbs 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 - 4Jeremiah 3:14
“Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:”
KJV - 5
- 6Hosea 6:1
“Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.”
KJV - 7Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
KJV - 8Mark 7:13
“Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.”
KJV - 9Luke 15:13
“And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.”
KJV - 10John 3:12
“If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Wayward Children? (6 Verses)
“And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:”
“When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
“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”
“Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:”
“The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,”
“Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Wayward Children? (7 Verses)
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
“Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.”
“And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.”
“If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?”
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, principles: or, word of the beginning of”
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. substance: or, ground, or, confidence”
“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Wayward Children
- 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 wayward children. 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 wayward 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 wayward 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 wayward children needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about wayward 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 wayward 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 Wayward Children?
You have studied 13 verses about wayward children. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.