Raising sons is one of the most rewarding roles a parent can have. Just as a skilled craftsman molds clay into a work of art, parents have the power to shape their sons into men of honor, integrity, and faith.
However, bringing up sons to be good men is not an easy task. There are many challenges along the way, and sometimes we need to seek guidance and help from God and the Bible to help us complete this duty.
The parable of the prodigal son illustrates well the challenges of raising sons. In the story, a younger son demands for his inheritance and squanders it in a distant land. After suffering when he is left with nothing, he decides to go back and ask for forgiveness from his father. Joyfully the father receives him, and he even prepares a feast to welcome him back. The other son is not very happy about the warm welcome but the father reassures him and asks him not to worry because everything he had was his.
Apart from offering valuable lessons to parents on how to raise their sons, the Bible also teaches the sons on matters of discipline, integrity, honor, and love among others.
We have compiled 50 insightful Bible verses dedicated to sons and parents who have sons. Consider sharing them with your sons so that they may learn and grow into men of substance according to the teachings of the Bible.
List of Bible verses for sons
Proverbs 3:11-12
“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.”
Proverbs 1:8
“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.”
Read Also: 45 Bible Verses About Daughters
Proverbs 4:1
“Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight.”
Proverbs 4:10
“Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.”
Proverbs 4:20-21
“My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.”
Proverbs 10:1
“A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.”
Proverbs 13:1
“A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.”
Proverbs 15:20
“A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.”
Proverbs 19:18
“Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.”
Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 23:24-25
“The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.”
Proverbs 29:15
“The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.”
Proverbs 29:17
“Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.”
Ephesians 6:4
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
Colossians 3:21
“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 6:7
“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Psalm 127:3
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”
Read Also: 55 Bible Verses About Parenting Responsibilities
Psalm 127:4-5
“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!”
Proverbs 6:20
“My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.”
Proverbs 20:7
“The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!”
Proverbs 29:3
“He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.”
1 Timothy 3:4-5
“He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?”
Proverbs 15:5
“A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.”
Proverbs 30:17
“The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures.”
Colossians 3:20
“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
2 Timothy 3:15
“And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
Hebrews 12:5-11
“And you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,
‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him;
For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.’
It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?”
Proverbs 22:15
“Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.”
Proverbs 20:11
“Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.”
Proverbs 3:1-2
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.”
Proverbs 13:24
“Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.”
Read Also: 36 Bible Verses About Brothers: Building Strong Family Ties
Proverbs 23:13-14
“Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.”
Proverbs 13:22
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.”
Psalm 103:13
“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.”
Proverbs 23:26
“My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.”
Psalm 128:3
“Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.”
Proverbs 17:6
“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”
Ephesians 6:1-3
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.'”
Deuteronomy 11:19
“You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Read Also: 35 Inspiring Bible Verses About Grandparents
1 Timothy 5:8
“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
Psalm 144:12
“May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace.”
Proverbs 2:1-5
“My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”
Proverbs 4:7
“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.”
Proverbs 4:23
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
Proverbs 4:26
“Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.”
Proverbs 13:14
“The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.”
Proverbs 16:3
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
Proverbs 22:11
“He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.”
Read Also: 40 Bible Verses About Adoption
Proverbs 22:28
“Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set.”
Psalm 139: 13-14
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.