Child Dedication

Child DEDICATION

"I prayed for this child, and God gave me what I asked for. And now I have dedicated him to God. He's dedicated to God for life."

1 Samuel 1:27-28

What is Child Dedication?

When parents dedicate their child, they are showing a desire to commit their son or daughter to the Lord and His service. They are also promising to do everything in their power to help their child grow to understand Christ’s love and experience a life-giving relationship with Him. “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.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)

What is Required to Participate in Child Dedication?

1. Parents must actively attend Sunday services
2. Parents must also believe the following:

My child is a gift from God.
God will hold me accountable for raising my child according to Biblical principles and cultivating an awareness of God's love and salvation through Jesus Christ.
I desire to dedicate my child to the Lord and His service.

What Happens During the Dedication?

1. Parents' Take Vows
During the dedication service, parents will be asked to make the following vows:

Pray for my child daily.
Instruct them faithfully in the teachings of the faith.
Teach them to read God's Word.
Encourage them to pray and lead a life that pleases God.
Take them to church regularly to worship the Lord and help them stay connected to the body of believers.
Do all in my power to bring my child to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

“But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children — with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.” (Psalm 103:17-18)

2. Pastor Gives Blessing
When parents’ vows have been taken, the pastor will dedicate them to God in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and pray for them. After each child has been dedicated, the pastor will close the ceremony by speaking a blessing upon all the children and their parents. "[Jesus] said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'" (Mark 10:14)