Child Dedication
Child Dedication is a special ceremony where parents publicly commit to guide their child towards a personal relationship with Jesus. Believing parents, and sometimes entire families, make a commitment before the Lord to submit a child to God’s will and to raise that child according to God’s Word & ways. It’s a time for the church to say, we’ll partner with you to help your child develop into a growing follower of Jesus. It is a voluntary act of worship, on the part of the parents. If a child is not dedicated, there is no loss of blessing or favour from God.
How do I know if a Child Dedication Ceremony is the right thing for our family?
Christian parents who dedicate a child are making a promise to God to do everything within their power to raise the child in a godly way, prayerfully until the child can make a decision on his or her own to follow God. Parents who make this vow of commitment are instructed to raise the child in the ways of God, and not according to their own ways. Some of the responsibilities include teaching and training the child in God’s Word, demonstrating an example of godliness, disciplining according to God’s ways, and praying earnestly for the child. Child Dedication is more about the commitment of the parents than the blessing of the child.
You should dedicate your child if you:
Realize that this ceremony has nothing to do with a child’s salvation
Desire to praise God for the new life you are blessed to nurture
Commit to raising this child in the community of faith and love of Jesus Christ