Graduation is one of those milestones that stay with us forever. They are anticipated without patience, longed for out of frustration and weariness, and embraced fully with celebration and perhaps a bit of anxiety. These graduation blessings and Bible verses for graduates are great to write in cards, inscribe on frames, or insert into scrapbooks.

This post also includes empowering graduation quotes to encourage your graduate through the rough days and inspirational graduation quotes to help them look upward when the world is difficult.

Graduation Blessings from the Bible

The Bible is full of blessings and I think we sometimes overlook them as nice sentiments, but when we break them down and study them verse for verse, we find that scripture speaks what we may not have words for ourselves. These Christian graduation messages are meaningful and inspiring.

For this reason, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 

that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,  (Ephesians 3:14-20)

We know life has challenges, often painful ones, but we know that our hope and peace is found in Christ. I want my children to be so confident in God’s love for them that they can lean heavily on it through life’s hurtful and lonely seasons.

I can’t think of anything nicer to wish upon some than that they might comprehend the love God has for us.

May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.
We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. (Psalm 20:4-5)

What is your graduate’s desire? Is it an impossible dream or is it just within reach? God sees! He hears our prayers and grants us our heart’s desire. Sometimes what He grants is a bit different than what we invision but He knows better than us. A Christian graduation message is about keeping our graduate’s mind and heart on the knowledge that God is with them.

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

I recently heard someone refer to this as the “priestly blessing”. I am not sure why? Do you know? If you do, please let me know in the comments! In any case, it is a beautiful blessing for anyone but especially for graduates as they start out on a new adventure.

Graduation Scriptures

If you are looking for a sentiment to write in a card to encourage your graduate in their faith or simply show them how much God cares for their future, you can’t go wrong with these Bible verses for graduates.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.  (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Joshua had big shoes to fill following after Moses. He also had an overwhelming job to do. He was to lead the children of Israel into the long awaited for Promised Land. He was to drive out the ungodly inhabitants and fulfill God’s promise to Abraham centuries before.

Your graduate may not be leading thousands into the Promised Land, but they are embarking on their own great adventure and work for Christ.

Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7-9)

While the Bible doesn’t have specific Bible verses for graduates, it does teach young people good work ethics.

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,  knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24)

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:9-10)

We want our graduates to find their purpose in Christ. The world is an insecure place and we don’t want them relying on the world to find fulfilment.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  (1 Timothy 4:12)

What is a good Bible verse for graduation? In some ways that depends on the graduate. I think the most important Bible verse for graduation is the one that reminds the graduate that God is with them.

My favorite verse from senior year was Psalm 125.

Those who trust in the Lord
Are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever. (Psalm 125:1-2)

Kingdom Bloggers has more Bible verses for graduates that you might enjoy 🙂

Graduation Blessings Quotes

Let’s turn from scripture and look at graduation blessings quotes to encourage our graduates. Here are a few to get you started. You may be able to personalize these graduation blessings quotes for your graduate or use them as they are.

• May God guide your footsteps as you embark on this adventure we call life.
• May you find your inspiration from above, and your strength from within.
• May your dreams be fulfilled and your future be established through our Lord and Savior.
• May your future hold all that you hope as you seek His face and learn to lean on Him.

Empowering Graduation Quotes

Who doesn’t love a good quote? These empowering graduation quotes will make your graduate smile and bring the confidence they need to face whatever lies ahead.

• You are graduating, but don’t think school is over, the school of life is just beginning. Keep learning! -Catherine Pulsifer

• “If I had only one message to impart that might help you be successful, it would be simply to start. To find your confidence, get out of your comfort zone, overcome your fears, and begin the journey to discover and accomplish what you want to do with your life.”  -Doretha Dinger

• “Find ways around the obstacles in your life. The power lies within you and your ability to change the way you think and act. Never forget that, and never give up.”  -Mike Finley

Inspirational Graduation Quotes

I had originally intended for these inspirational graduation quotes to lead your graduate’s mind toward Christ, but I found so many great quotes that I liked and thought would go perfectly in a card.

• “Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education. —Martin Luther King Jr.

• “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan but also believe.”
  —Anatole France

• “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.”
  —Ralph Waldo Emerson

• “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
  —Mark Twain

• “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.”
  —Winston Churchill

• “If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint,” then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.”
  —Vincent Van Gogh

One More Thought on Graduation Blessings

The greatest graduation blessing comes from your heart. The graduation blessings that make the most impact are those that speak of your own experience and the lessons you’ve learned. Even if you do not feel eloquent, you will leave an impact and your words will hold more value than you can imagine.

I hope these graduation quotes and graduation scriptures have helped you. Which ones did you like the best? I’d love for you to share your thoughts in the comments below!

Be sure to check out these posts before you go!

13 Bible Verses about God’s Love

21 Inspiring Quotes about Courage and Fear

20 Light Overcomes Darkness Quotes to Enlighten Your Day