35 Best Graduation Scriptures (Bible Verses For Graduates)

Do you have a loved one who has recently graduated? If so, it is time to celebrate!

In order to help you find the right words, we’ve compiled a list of the 36 best graduation scriptures to share with your loved one. Whether their faith is strong or not, a Bible verse for graduation can offer inspiration, motivation, and perspective for their future.

It also offers an opportunity to share your faith and share some of the rich wisdom in the Bible.

This list of graduation scriptures includes verses that praise God, thank Him, and others that will help keep your loved one focused on the next chapter in life.

While most people will celebrate high school and university (ages 18-23), a graduation can occur at any time of life (for example, I finished my graduate degree well into my 30s).  You can share the scripture on a cake or within a letter.

It doesn’t matter how you share the Bible verse, what matters is that you are acknowledging their achievement. Let’s get started.

Graduation Bible Verses: Where Will God Take You?

Most young graduates still have the majority of life in front of them. They have spent years in school and will soon realize that the “real world” is much different than sitting in a classroom.

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I remember the sense of accomplishment I felt when I finished my bachelors degree. It was a weight off my shoulders and an exciting time to celebrate with family.

I quickly learned, however, that I would have to make life decisions about a career, family, and where I would live. In hindsight, I don’t think I realized how my future work decisions would impact my life.

I remember I frequently referred to my favorite Bible verse after graduation. It was Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you
Plans to prosper you and not to harm you
Plans to give you hope and a future

I encourage you to consider where your loved one is at in their life.

  • Are they just finishing high school with the world in front of them?
  • Are they already working in a career they enjoy?
  • Do they have a family, or do they want one?

Choose a Bible verse for graduates that’s fits their life. You’ll find this list to be broad, so find one that will resonate with them.

Bible Verse Themes For Graduates

There are various themes

As we mentioned above, there are various themes you can look for.

  • Future

Should the verse be about their future path and where they will end up? Share a verse where God provides guidance.

  • Wisdom

Is your loved one a new graduate with a great deal of knowledge? Share some of the wisdom that only God provides. True wisdom isn’t just about knowledge, it’s about how we use it and how we interact with others.

  • Family

Does the recent graduate intent to start a family? If you know family is a priority, share a verse that shares the importance of walking with God.

  • Education

If your loved one is studious, they might be pursuing higher education. There are many Bible verses that touch on the importance of learning and listening.

  • Hard Work

There are many students who graduate from high school and enter the work force with a hands-on skill. A verse about hard work and disciple would be great.

  • Decisions

For most graduates, big decisions are on the horizon. A degree helps with qualifications to get a new job or a promotion from an existing job.

Accepting a job in another location could impact the rest of their life!

35 Best Bible Verses For Graduates

1. Psalm 119:105-106

Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light on my path. I have taken oath and confirmed it, and I will follow your righteous laws.

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2. Isaiah 25:1

Lord, you are my God, I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.

3. Proverbs 18:15

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

4. Matthew 5:14

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

5. John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world give. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

6. Psalm 105:1

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done.

7. Daniel 2:23

I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to use the dream of the king.

8. Psalm 118:24

This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

9. Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction

10. 1 Timothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

11. Proverbs 13:20

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

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12. James 1:12

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

13. Isaiah 58:11

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

14. Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

15. Proverbs 13:4

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied

16. Philippians 2:14-15

Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.

17. Proverbs 4:7

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

18. Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.

19. Philippians 3:13-14

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do; forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

20. James 1:12

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

21. Proverbs 16:16

How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

22. Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

22. Psalm 105:4

Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.

23. Proverbs 12:11

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

24. Mark 12:30

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

25. Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.

26. Romans 8:28

In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

27. Psalm 20:4

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

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28. Proverbs 19:20-21

Listen to advice and accept discipline and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

29. Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart

30. Isaiah 43:19

See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you not see it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

31. Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heave.

32. Proverbs 3:5-6

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.

33. Colossians 1:9-10

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

34. Proverbs 16:3

Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.

35. 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.

Ways To Give A Graduation Scripture

How will you present your love one with a graduation scripture? There are several ways to share, so be creative and original.

Cake

Writing a note on a graduation cake is nothing new, however it is a great way to present a graduation Bible verse to your loved one. Everyone loves cake.

Letter

While a card is easiest, it’s also the most common. If the Bible verse is hand written, they will know you put thought into the gift.

Postcard

Postcards are great, however, they are also casual. If you need to send your loved one a message but want to keep it loose, send a graduation scripture on a fun postcard.

People love to put postcards on their refrigerator door and your verse may be read by others!

Driveway

Did you ever draw on your driveway with chalk? Kids enjoy it and parents are usually okay with chalk because it eventually goes away.

Consider writing a graduation Bible verse on the drive way to leave a lasting impression on your new graduate.

Car

No, this isn’t a suggestion to get your new graduate a vehicle. Rather, write a Bible verse on the car window. There are plenty of washable colors that are made for vehicles (they aren’t permanent).

Surprise them when they drive to school on graduation day!

Graduation Cap

A Bible verse for graduates can also go on the graduation cap. Students sometimes decorate their cap with words or colors so their friends and family can easily see them (especially at large universities).

A short Bible verse for a graduation cap might add some flare to a graduation gown.

Mirror

If you prefer to keep your Bible verse more private, write it on their mirror at home. They will see it in the morning and it can stay on the mirror as long as they like. Just make sure it’s erasable.

Conclusion

If you have family or friends who are graduating, you probably want to celebrate. It might be a large party, a family dinner, or maybe you’re just sending a card.

Whatever your choice to celebrate, a Bible verse for graduation can provide some inspiration and perspective for the graduate.

There is so much great advice in the Bible and scripture can point us in the direction God wants. The graduation scriptures we’ve mentioned can go on a cake, in a card, or on a sign. They can motivate, inspire, humble, and teach us that God has a plan for us.

Choose a Bible verse for your loved one and enjoy their achievement!