Father's Day Bible Verses: 50+ Scriptures to Honor Dad

Updated: June 2026

Looking for powerful Bible verses to celebrate Father’s Day? Whether you’re honoring your dad, preparing a Father’s Day sermon, or seeking spiritual encouragement, these Scriptures highlight the qualities of godly fathers—along with prayers, sermon outlines, quotes, and poems to use in your church or home.

The Bible is full of wisdom on fatherhood. From Abraham’s faith to Joseph’s protection, these verses and lessons show what it means to be a dad after God’s heart.

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Top 10 Father's Day Bible Verses

Short on time? These ten Scriptures are the most beloved verses for honoring fathers — perfect for a sermon anchor, a service slide, or a quick text to Dad.

1. Proverbs 22:6 — "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."
2. Psalm 103:13 — "As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him."
3. Joshua 24:15 — "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
4. Ephesians 6:4 — "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
5. Proverbs 23:24 — "The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him."
6. Proverbs 20:7 — "The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them."
7. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 — "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children."
8. Psalm 127:3 — "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him."
9. Luke 15:20 — "While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."‍
10. Malachi 4:6 — "He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents."

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What does the Bible say about Fathers?

You may be asking meaningful and deep questions like: 

• What does the Bible say about fathers?
• What does the Bible say about a father's responsibility?
• What does it mean to be a godly father according to Scripture?
• How can I grow into the father God wants me to be?
• What is the role of a father?

Thinking about what it means to be a father based on the Bible and pondering how that impacts you or fathers around you can lead to some amazing insights and life change. What better time to do this deep thinking than on father's day.

As you prepare for this day, reflect upon and use what the Bible says about fathers to enrich your appreciation of your dad and the older men in your life who have helped you to become the person you are.

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The Faith-Rooted History of Father's Day

Father's Day began in the church. In 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington was listening to a Mother's Day sermon when she thought of her own father — William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran and widower who had raised six children alone on a farm. Convinced that fathers like hers deserved a day of recognition and prayer, she brought the idea to her pastor and local ministers, and the first Father's Day service was held in Spokane on June 19, 1910.

President Coolidge encouraged states to adopt it in 1924, but the observance spread slowly until 1972 when it became a permanent national holiday, celebrated each year on the third Sunday of June. More than a century later, Father's Day is still what Sonora intended: a day rooted in faith, gratitude, and the recognition that godly fathers shape generations.

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Fathers in the Bible

Here are eight truths we can learn from fathers in the bible, and eight ways we can praise God for the gift of dads.

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1. Fathers lead families

They have an instinct to cast a vision and execute that vision for their family. In the Bible, God often charges men to be responsible for leading their households in devotion to himself. They have an industrious spirit and an unstoppable grit that God hardwired into them.

The task of leading a family (father's day or no father's day) requires bravery, decisiveness, and devotion to God.

They are uniquely equipped to manifest all of these qualities.

Genesis 18:19

“For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”

Deuteronomy 6:1-9

“These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.  Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.  Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 24:15

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Proverbs 14:26

“Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.”

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2. Fathers protect

They not only lead—they guard. They are charged to protect the innocent. On father's day and every other day of they ear!

They are meant to be suspicious of their daughter’s boyfriend.

They are driven to make a home for their families.

Deuteronomy 1:29-31

“Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”

Proverbs 14:26

"In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence,

and his children will have a refuge."

Ephesians 6:11-18

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

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3. Fathers are good examples

They are examples for their kids. It’s no coincidence that there is a high correlation between fatherlessness and success of children.

They are meant to take their kids by the hand and train them to become strong adults.

Adulthood is often more caught than taught—this is never more true than when children watch their fathers.

He leaves a good example and is an irreplaceable asset to his kids.

1 Kings 15:11

"And Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as David his father had done."

Proverbs 3:32

"For the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence."

Proverbs 23:22

"Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old."

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4. Fathers are guides

They are meant to give wisdom to their kids. This doesn’t mean that every dad has to be a genius. But they have an instinct to want the best for their kids.

Tested by time, dads show their kids how to make wise decisions and serve as a reservoir of wisdom for when circumstances become too complex for his kids.

Dads are meant to guide us.

God designed it this way, and we should lean into this resource.

1 Chronicles 29:17

“I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.”

Proverbs 3:11-12

“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”

Proverbs 4:1-4

‍“Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.  I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.  For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.  Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.”

Proverbs 10:9

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”

Proverbs 17:27

“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.”

Ephesians 6:4

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Colossians 3:21

"Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged."

2 Timothy 3:15-17

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Proverbs 20:7

“The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them."

Proverbs 22:6

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."

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5. Fathers provide stability

Great dads are the backbone to the family unit. They provide a steady foundation, a firm handshake, and a consuming hug when we need it.

In Bible verses about fathers, we see that they  provide the steadiness that we need to look out from our homes and into the world as we embark on our own home-building.

Malachi 4:6

"He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."

Ephesians 5:25-37

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.  In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.  After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body.  “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”  This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.  However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Act like men.”

1 Timothy 3:2-5

“Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.  He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)"

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6. Bible Verses About a Father's Love

Nothing can replace a dad’s love.

Daughters need their dad’s love.

Sons need their dad’s love.

It’s what enables daughters and sons to find a husband or wife to love. The way a dad loves a child will become a template for that child as they seek to find another relationship.

God meant this relationship to reflect how he relates to us as our Heavenly Father. We see this exemplified by fathers in the Bible.

Hebrews 12:7

"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?"

Proverbs 22:6

"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."

Proverbs 3:11-12

"My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in."

Psalm 103:13

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him."

Ephesians 6:4

"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."

Colossians 3:21

"Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged."

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7. Fathers take pride in their kids

Dads are invested in their kids.

When you fail, your dad’s there to pick you up. When you succeed, your dad’s there to cheer you on.

There is no feeling quite like that of a dad who sees his child become a woman or man of integrity, love, service, and work ethic.

Psalm 127:3-5

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.  They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.”

Psalm 128:3-4

“Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.  Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the Lord.”

Proverbs 3:11-12

“My child, when the Lord God speaks to you, never take his words lightly, and never be upset when he corrects you. For the Father’s discipline comes only from his passionate love and pleasure for you. Even when it seems like his correction is harsh, it’s still better than any father on earth gives to his child." (The Passion Translation)

Proverbs 23:24  

“The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.”

3 John 1:4

“It is the greatest joy of my life to hear that my children are consistently living their lives in the ways of truth.”

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8. Fathers reflect God’s unique love

They are meant to show us what it’s like to receive love from God. We are made in God’s likeness (Gen. 1:26-28) just like we bear the likeness of our fathers.

When we see a father’s unwavering commitment to a rebellious child, his swelling pride when they do their best, and his willingness to sacrifice everything to be in a relationship, we see the character of God.

Psalm 103:13

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him."

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,  encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.”

Matthew 7:9–11

“Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"

Luke 15:20-24

“So he got up and went to his father.  “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.   “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’   “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

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Bible Verses for Fathers and Sons

The Bible returns again and again to the bond between a father and his children — instruction passed down, faith handed on, love that endures failure. These verses speak directly to that relationship.

Proverbs 1:8-9

"Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck."

1 Kings 2:2-3

“David's final charge to Solomon: "Be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him… so that you may prosper in all you do."

Psalm 78:5-7

"He commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them… and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God."

Proverbs 13:22

"A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children."

Proverbs 27:11

"Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart."

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Father's Day Bible Verses to Write in a Card

Looking for the right verse to write in a Father's Day card? These short Scriptures pair beautifully with a personal note. We've added a simple message idea under each one to get you started.

Numbers 6:24-26

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you." Card idea: "Dad, this is my prayer for you every day. Happy Father's Day."

Psalm 103:13

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." Card idea: "Your love has always shown me what God's love looks like."

Proverbs 23:24

"The father of a righteous child has great joy." Card idea: "I hope I've given you even half the joy you've given me."

3 John 1:4

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." Card idea: "Everything good in how I walk through life, I learned watching you."

Philippians 1:3

"I thank my God every time I remember you." Card idea: "Every memory with you is a gift. Thank you, Dad."

Proverbs 16:31

"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness." Card idea: "Every one of those gray hairs is a badge of honor — and a few are probably mine."

Isaiah 41:10

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God." Card idea: "You taught me courage by living it. Happy Father's Day."

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love." Card idea: "This verse is you, Dad. Thank you for showing us what it means."

Free Download: Father's Day Coloring Sheets for Kids

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Short Bible Verses About Dads and Good Fathers

Ephesians 6:4

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."

Corinthians 16:14

“Do everything in love."

Thessalonians 2:11-12

“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory."

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Happy Father's Day Sermon Ideas and Prayers

Father’s Day is a wonderful time to reinforce the importance of fathers in providing a stable and nurturing environment for their children. But you also have an opportunity to guide fathers in equipping their children with the knowledge and understanding of God's Word.

That being said, here are ideas for Father’s Day sermons, which can also act as catalysts for prayer.

Free Download: Father's Day Sermon Outlines

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Sermon Ideas for Father's Day

1. The Pillar of the Family

Highlight the significance of fathers in the family unit.

2. Leaders and Protectors: The Father's Role

Emphasize the role of fathers as leaders and protectors.

3. Building Bonds: The Father-Child Connection

Encourage fathers to cultivate strong relationships with their children.

4. Passing the Torch of Faith

Instruct fathers to teach and pass on godly principles to their children.

5. The Threefold Provision of a Father

Urge fathers to provide for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of their families.

6. The Depth of a Father's Love

Call fathers to love their children unconditionally and sacrificially.

7. Integrity in Action: Fathers as Role Models

Challenge fathers to be positive role models and examples of integrity.

8. Molding Tomorrow: The Father's Influence

Affirm the importance of fathers in shaping the character and values of their children.

9. Guiding with Grace: The Discipline of Love

Remind fathers of their responsibility to discipline their children with love and wisdom.

10. The Harvest of Dedication: Blessings of Fatherhood

Assure fathers that their efforts in raising their children will yield blessings and rewards.

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5 Prayers for Fathers (with Scripture)

Use these short prayers in your Father's Day service, small group, or at home — each one is anchored in Scripture.

A Prayer of Thanks for Fathers (Psalm 103:13) Heavenly Father, thank You for the dads in our church and our homes — for their compassion, their sacrifice, and their quiet faithfulness. Let them feel today the same delight they've given their children. Amen.

A Prayer for Fathers Who Lead (Joshua 24:15) Lord, strengthen every father who has declared, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Give him wisdom when the way is unclear and courage when leadership is costly. Amen.

A Prayer for New Fathers (Proverbs 22:6) Father God, bless the men just beginning this journey. Teach them to start their children off on the way they should go, and remind them that You walk every step beside them. Amen.

A Prayer for Fathers Who Are Struggling (Philippians 4:6) Lord, meet every dad carrying worry he hasn't spoken aloud — about work, his marriage, his kids. Replace his anxiety with Your peace, and surround him with brothers who will hold him up. Amen.

A Prayer for Those Grieving on Father's Day (Psalm 34:18) God of all comfort, be near to everyone for whom this day is heavy — those who have lost their fathers, those estranged, and those who long to be fathers. You are close to the brokenhearted. Amen.

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Father's Day Quotes for Church Bulletins

Here are some quotes that you can use for a church bulletin on Father's Day.

"The quality of a father can be seen in the goals, dreams, and aspirations he sets not only for himself but for his family." - Reed Markham

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"It's only when you grow up and step back from him—or leave him for your own home—it's only then that you can measure his greatness and fully appreciate it." - Margaret Truman

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"Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad." - Anne Geddes

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"Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, story-tellers, and singers of song." - Pam Brown

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Free Download: Father's Day Social Graphics

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Father's Day Poems to Read at Church

Here’s a short list of poems about fathers–you can draw on these to round out your Father’s Day sermon.

• "My Father's Song" by Simon J. Ortiz
• "My Papa's Waltz" by Theodore Roethke
• "Father" by Edgar Albert Guest
• "The Gift" by Li-Young Lee
• "Only a Dad" by Edgar Albert Guest
• "Father to Son" by Elizabeth Jennings
• "Those Winter Sundays" by Robert Hayden

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Key Takeaways

Father’s Day is an opportunity to not only teach on Biblical principles of fatherhood, but to encourage dads to keep leading their children–and families–with grace, humility, and wisdom. 

It’s also a chance to encourage and comfort those in your congregation who have lost fathers, or who don’t have good relationships with their fathers.

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Celebrate Father's Day with Tithely

However your church honors dads this June 21—a special sermon, a men's breakfast, a small gift for every father who walks through the doors—the details shouldn't fall on you alone. Tithely helps you plan, delegate, and promote your Father's Day service without adding to your week:

• Tithely ChMS keeps your Father's Day workflows in one place—assign tasks to staff and coordinate volunteers for everything from greeters to grill duty.
• Tithely Apps put your Father's Day plans—and these verses—directly on your members' phones, so every dad in your congregation knows he's invited.
• Tithely Events makes registration for a Father's Day breakfast or men's event quick for members and effortless for you.

The best part? All of these tools—and more—come in one affordable plan, so you can run a meaningful Father's Day without draining administrative time or energy. See everything Tithely can do.

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Check out these additional Bible verse posts

For additional encouraging Bible verses and Bible verse posts, check out these resources:

1. 100+ Encouraging Bible Verses & Religious Quotes
2. 100 Bible Verses about Prayer and Praying
3. 36 Bible Verses about Dads For Father’s Day
4. Love You Forever, Mom | Bible Verses About Mothers and Mother's Day
5. 100+ Thanksgiving Bible Verses That Will Make You Thankful
6. 19 Critical Bible Verses on Greed: Explained, Applied, and Illustrated
7. Bible Verses About Mothers for Mother’s Day
8. Bible Verses About Debt to Proactively Grow
9. 29 Inspirational Christmas Quotes & Christmas Bible Verses
10. Bible Verses About Money & Possessions
11. 100+ Thanksgiving Bible Verses That Will Make You Thankful
12. Build Your Business on Faith: 55 Bible Verses About Business
13. A Biblical Decision-Making Guide: 100 Bible Verses About Making Choices
14. 30+ Bible Verses About Saving Money and Investing
15. 67 Inspiring Bible Verses About Love and Marriage
16. Tithing in the Bible: 100+ Scriptures about Giving and Generosity
17. ‍Bible Verses About Work & Working for God‍‍
18. Bible Study Topics for Small Groups +Tips on Hosting a Church Small Group‍‍
19. New Testament Books of the Bible: What You Need to Know
20. “The Unforgivable Sin”: A Definitive Guide
21. 26 Bible Verses About Technology
22. 197 Inspirational Quotes & Bible Verses‍