Does godly parenting result in godly children (Proverbs 22:6)?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Proverbs 22:6 offers powerful wisdom on raising children but does not promise they will always walk with God, reminding us that parenting is about faithfully seeking to honor God, not guaranteed results. The Bible calls parents to actively disciple their children—teaching, modeling Christ’s love, and creating a home where God’s truth is lived and loved, while trusting the Holy Spirit to transform their hearts. Godly parenting can shape a legacy of faith, yet the ultimate outcome rests in God’s hands alone. As Christian parents, we are called to persevere in our calling, knowing every prayer, lesson, and act of love plants seeds that God can grow in His perfect timing. Even when children stray, our faithfulness is not wasted; God sees our hearts, hears our prayers, and continues to pursue our children with relentless grace.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." However, some children of Christian parents rebel, and some adults raised by godly parents do not walk with God. Proverbs is not a book of promises or rules but general principles of wisdom. In other words, children whose parents raised them rightly will usually turn out well—-but that is not a guarantee for every parent and child.
• God instructed His people to make His words pervasive in their children’s lives: “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.” Doing so sets a good foundation for children to become godly adults—but some may stray from that as they get older.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Ephesians 6:4 instructs parents, fathers particularly, in facets of raising children, but makes no promises. It says, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Like Proverbs 22:6, it provides instruction in how to raise children in the Lord. It is not a promise or a guarantee of the result, but the instruction is clear.
• We see a biblical example of godly parenting in the life of Timothy. Paul wrote to Timothy, "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well" (2 Timothy 1:5). Timothy had a godly upbringing. Later we see him as a trusted companion and ministry partner of Paul, an aide to the apostles, and a pastor. Paul credits, in part, Timothy's grandmother and mother for teaching him about God (2 Timothy 3:15).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

God calls Christian parents to be faithful stewards of the children He entrusts to them. While we are not guaranteed the outcome of our children’s faith, we are still called to raise them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. We are to intentionally teach them God’s Word, model a Christlike life, and create an environment where God is loved and seen. Godly parenting is not about control—it’s about discipleship. As we walk in step with the Holy Spirit, we help shape our children’s understanding of God’s character and their need for Him.

Seeking to be a godly parent is a long-term act of faith and obedience. Even when it feels thankless or difficult, our labor “is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Every prayer, every bedtime Bible story, every humble apology, and every consistent boundary is part of planting seeds in a child’s heart that God can water and grow in His time. Our role is to point them to Jesus—His grace, His truth, and His love—and trust that God will do the work only He can do in their hearts.



If your child has strayed from the faith despite your best efforts to raise them in the Lord, know this: your faithful parenting was not wasted. God sees your tears, hears your prayers, and knows your heartache. Remember, even the perfect Father has children who rebel. Keep praying, keep loving, and keep trusting that God is still pursuing your child. Never underestimate the power of a praying parent or the seeds of truth planted in years past—God is still writing their story.

UNDERSTAND

• Proverbs 22:6 offers wisdom, not a guarantee, that godly parenting leads to godly children.
• Parenting calls for faithful teaching and modeling Christ while trusting God to work in their hearts.
• Even if children stray, parents’ faithful efforts and prayers are never wasted.

REFLECT

• How are you actively modeling Christ’s love and faithfulness in your daily interactions with your children?
• How do you rely on God’s timing and grace when your parenting efforts don’t seem to produce immediate fruit?
• How do you maintain hope and perseverance in prayer for your children, especially during challenging seasons?

ENGAGE

• How can we trust the wisdom of Proverbs 22:6 without expecting guaranteed results?
• What are some practical ways we can create homes where God’s truth is not only taught but also visibly lived out?
• How do you personally wrestle with trusting God’s sovereignty over your children’s spiritual growth while remaining faithful in your parenting?