Teaching kids about God can feel like trying to explain color to someone who’s never seen it. They’re concrete thinkers living in a world of superheroes, video games, and instant gratification, and you’re trying to help them understand an invisible God who created everything and loves them more than they can imagine. You want them to build a real foundation of faith, not just memorize religious words they don’t understand or develop a boring obligation they’ll abandon the moment they’re old enough to choose.
The challenge is finding verses that speak to where kids actually are. They’re dealing with fear of the dark, friendship drama, worry about disappointing their parents, questions about why bad things happen, and trying to figure out who they are. They need truth that connects to their real lives, not just flannel board stories that feel disconnected from Monday morning at school. And they need it presented in ways that make sense to their developing brains without dumbing down the actual power of Scripture.
These verses offer kids foundational truths about God’s character, His love for them, and how to live in ways that honor Him while navigating childhood’s very real challenges.
Bible Verses for Kids
1. Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
English Standard Version (ESV)
2. Psalm 56:3 – When I Am Afraid, I Put My Trust in You
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
New International Version (NIV)
3. Philippians 4:13 – I Can Do All Things Through Christ
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
New King James Version (NKJV)
4. Jeremiah 29:11 – For I Know the Plans I Have for You
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
New Living Translation (NLT)
5. Joshua 1:9 – Be Strong and Courageous
Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. Psalm 139:14 – I Am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7. 1 John 4:8 – God Is Love
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
King James Version (KJV)
8. Ephesians 4:32 – Be Kind to One Another
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
9. Psalm 118:24 – This Is the Day the Lord Has Made
This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
New King James Version (NKJV)
10. John 3:16 – For God So Loved the World
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
New Living Translation (NLT)
11. Proverbs 1:8 – Listen to Your Father’s Instruction
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and don’t reject your mother’s teaching.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
12. Matthew 5:16 – Let Your Light Shine Before Others
In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
13. Psalm 23:1 – The Lord Is My Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
King James Version (KJV)
14. 1 Samuel 16:7 – The Lord Looks at the Heart
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
15. Colossians 3:20 – Children, Obey Your Parents
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
New King James Version (NKJV)
16. Psalm 119:105 – Your Word Is a Lamp for My Feet
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
New Living Translation (NLT)
17. Matthew 19:14 – Let the Little Children Come to Me
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
New International Version (NIV)
18. Proverbs 17:17 – A Friend Loves at All Times
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
New International Version (NIV)
19. Galatians 5:22-23 – The Fruit of the Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
English Standard Version (ESV)
20. Psalm 34:4 – I Sought the Lord and He Answered Me
I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
21. 1 Corinthians 13:4 – Love Is Patient, Love Is Kind
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.
King James Version (KJV)
22. Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord Always
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
English Standard Version (ESV)
23. Genesis 1:1 – In the Beginning God Created
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
New International Version (NIV)
24. Matthew 7:12 – Do to Others What You Would Have Them Do
Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
25. Psalm 46:1 – God Is Our Refuge and Strength
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
English Standard Version (ESV)
26. Proverbs 22:6 – Train Up a Child
Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
27. 1 Timothy 4:12 – Don’t Let Anyone Look Down on You
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
King James Version (KJV)
28. James 1:17 – Every Good and Perfect Gift
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
English Standard Version (ESV)
29. Psalm 100:5 – For the Lord Is Good
For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
New Living Translation (NLT)
30. Hebrews 13:5 – God Has Said, Never Will I Leave You
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
New International Version (NIV)
31. Matthew 22:37-39 – Love the Lord Your God
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
New International Version (NIV)
32. Psalm 136:1 – Give Thanks to the Lord, for He Is Good
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.
New International Version (NIV)
33. Colossians 3:23 – Work at It with All Your Heart
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
New International Version (NIV)
34. Proverbs 15:1 – A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
New International Version (NIV)
35. Romans 8:28 – God Works for the Good
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
New International Version (NIV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says for Kids
Kids need to know that the Bible isn’t just a book of rules but a story about a God who actually likes them and wants a relationship with them. The verses here show God’s character in ways children can grasp: He’s with you when you’re scared, He made you special to fulfill His purpose, He listens when you pray, and He wants you to treat others well. These aren’t abstract theological concepts but practical truths that apply when your best friend is being mean, or you’re worried about a test, or you feel left out.
What’s powerful about teaching kids Scripture early is that these truths get embedded before the world has a chance to convince them otherwise. A child who genuinely believes God made them wonderfully is harder to shake with middle school cruelty. A kid who knows God is with them always has a resource for courage when life gets scary. These verses become the foundation they’ll build everything else on.
The goal isn’t perfect memorization or understanding every nuance. It’s helping kids start to recognize God’s voice, to know where to turn when they need help, and to see that following Jesus is the best way to live.
Say This Prayer
Dear God, thank You for loving kids like me. Thank You that I don’t have to wait until I’m grown up to know You and talk to You. Help me to understand the Bible and to remember the verses I’m learning. When I’m scared or sad or confused, remind me of the true things You say about me and about Yourself.
Help me to obey my parents even when I don’t want to. Help me to be kind to my friends and to the kids at school who are hard to be nice to. When I mess up, help me to say sorry and to remember that You forgive me because Jesus died for me. Teach me to talk to You every day, not just when I need something but because You’re my friend.
Show me how to live in a way that makes other people want to know You, too. Help me to be brave when I’m afraid, to trust You when things don’t make sense, and to remember that You’re always with me, no matter what happens. Thank You that You have good plans for my life.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.