Does the Bible say anything about being a good parent?

TL;DR:

Scripture teaches that a good parent is a godly parent. A good parent builds their family on God’s Word, teaching their children about Him through both instruction and example.

A good parent is a godly parent who makes God’s Word the foundation of family life, teaching their children diligently about who God is through both instruction and example. Discipline, seen as loving training rather than mere punishment, is essential for shaping a child’s character, respect, and self-control. Parents are called to nurture their children with patience, kindness, and truth, understanding each child’s unique personality and needs. God’s own discipline of His children serves as the perfect model—always motivated by love and aimed at holiness. Ultimately, good parenting involves seeking God’s wisdom continually and preparing children to walk faithfully in His ways throughout their lives.

from the old testament

In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Moses instructed the Israelites: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 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. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." God's Word was to be at the center of family life. A good parent will teach his or her children God’s Word and who God is.
Discipline is an important part of parenting, and of helping children feel loved. Discussions of discipline often include Proverbs 13:24: "Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him." Discipline is much more than punishment; it is loving training aimed at producing godly children.
Proverbs 22:6 is an excellent principle, not promise, for parenting: "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." A good parent will instruct their children and show them the way to go. That does not mean they will follow it, but it will give them the best opportunity.

from the new testament

Ephesians 6:4 says, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." God's Word should be the foundation of parenting. God's Word gives us wisdom to parent.
Parents also teach children about who God is by the way they live. As parents instruct children in God's Word, they must show children a life submitted to God in their marriage (Ephesians 5:21–33), in their daily life, in their business dealings, in their commitment to community worship times, in their hobbies, and in all parts of life.
Parents' interactions with their children must be filled with love and truth (Ephesians 4:15). Their words and their actions should show their love for their children.
God Himself is the best example of discipling with love. Hebrews 12:5-6 says, "And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives'" The passage goes on to discuss earthly fathers who discipline and the way children respect their fathers. Earthly fathers discipline the way that seems best to them, but God always does it for our good and so that we will be holy. Hebrews 12:11 says, "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (See also Deuteronomy 8:5.)
Though not specifically about parenting, the Bible tells us we can go to God and ask Him for wisdom (James 1:5). In few endeavors is ongoing wisdom needed more than in parenting.

implications for today

Being a good parent means seeking to honor God through every stage of raising children in a way that points them to Him. It looks like intentionally making God’s Word the foundation of your family life. This involves not only teaching your children about God through Scripture but also living out those truths daily in your actions, decisions, and relationships. Your example of love, faithfulness, and submission to God will shape how your children understand who God is and how they relate to Him. Your modeling what it looks like to be in the Word and prioritize it shows where your treasure is. By consistently guiding your children with both truth and grace, you provide a secure environment where they can know God and grow in godly character, respect, and self-control.

Discipline is a key part of parenting, and a good parent uses discipline to disciple. That means training and nurturing your child’s heart toward maturity, helping them to see and desire what is good. Like God’s loving discipline toward us, corrections should be motivated by love and aimed at helping your child develop in wisdom and holiness. This means setting clear boundaries with kindness and patience, understanding your child’s unique personality, and listening deeply to their needs and struggles. As you seek God’s wisdom in parenting, remember that your role is to prepare them to walk faithfully in God’s ways, trusting that the seeds you plant now will bear fruit even into their adulthood.

understand

A good parent is a godly parent that points his or her children to Jesus.
A good parent builds family life on God’s Word, teaching children about Him by example and instruction.
Good parenting calls for ongoing wisdom, patience, and guidance to help children come to know God and seek to live in His ways.

reflect

How do you actively incorporate God’s Word into your daily family life and parenting practices?
How do you view discipline in light of our call to disciple our children
How well do you understand and respond to your child’s unique personality and needs in light of biblical parenting principles?

engage

How can parents effectively model a life submitted to God while addressing the challenges of family life?
What are some practical ways discipline can be both loving training and a tool for guiding children toward holiness? And how can we help children see that godly and loving discipline is good?
How does ongoing reliance on God’s wisdom shape the way we raise children to walk faithfully in His ways?