What is Child Dedication?

Child dedication is a significant life stage milestone that is meant to be celebrated within the larger faith community.

The roots of this ceremony go back several thousand years to a moment when a Jewish woman named Hannah was unable to conceive. She cried out to the Lord for a child, and when God answered her prayer, she responded by dedicating her child to God's
purpose.

“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there. 1 Sam 1:27-28

Even Mary had a moment of dedication with Jesus when He was just an infant.

Following this example, dedication is parents bringing their children to the Lord. As believers we are called to recognize that children belong first and foremost to God. Because children belong to God and are given as gifts, it is only proper and appropriate that children are dedicated back to God.

Dedication is you as a parent publicly declaring your dependence on the Lord and committing to provide a Christian home, to love God and teach your children to do the same. Praying for them and with them, and teaching them that God answers prayer. Instructing them faithfully in the truths of the Christian faith. Teaching them to read the word of God, to pray, to lead holy lives, teaching them what it means to know, love and serve Jesus. Take them faithfully to church, to be a part of its community, its family and do all that is within your power to see them come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour early in their lives and helping them grow in their faith.

Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord.
Luke 2:22

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What specifically happens during a Child dedication service?

At some point in the service, we will invite parents and their child onto the platform. The Pastor will briefly describe to the congregation the meaning and purpose of the dedication ceremony and greet the families who are guests for this occasion.

Then he/she will ask the parents the dedication questions of commitment.

Following the commitments made before God and the congregation, the Pastor will take the opportunity to pray over your child. During this prayer moment, we like to project a picture on the screen of your child so that the congregation can get a better view of who they are and what they look like. So we will ask you to supply a picture of your choice.

During this prayer moment, the Pastor may use the verses you selected to declare God’s
promises of their lives. The entire congregation is invited to agree in prayer for God's blessing to be poured out upon their life. Modeling this kind of love cannot be done alone. It requires the help of others. Yes, parents have first responsibility but parents also need the help and support of a church family. That is why being a part of a church is so important to help teach and encourage them in their faith.

We as your church family need to set an example for children of what a follower of Jesus ought to be, and be a support to you as parents as their church family, where they find the church always a place of love and acceptance and are encouraged to be all that they can be to the Glory of God

Then before leaving the platform, you will have your picture taken and given a gift as a reminder of this day when you dedicated your child to the Lord.

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What’s the difference between Child dedication and infant baptism?

In many traditions it is customary to do a "baptism" of an infant rather than a dedication. In the New Testament, baptism was always a step of obedience taken by a believer in Jesus to identify with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Just as Jesus died and was buried, so we symbolically bury our old life of past sin and disobedience. Just as Jesus rose from the dead, so we symbolically rise out of the water as a declaration of a fresh start and a new life. So, Baptism is an expression of a personal faith in Christ.

We all sin. As a result, we will need to receive forgiveness of sin through the work that Jesus did for us all on the cross. When your child comes to understand the power of the cross and the opportunity to have "new" and "spiritual" life in Christ – then they can be water baptized in the Biblical sense of the word.

In reality, a young child cannot yet choose to identify with Christ’s death and resurrection, so the best thing you can do for them is to present them to God in dedication and to pray God's powerful blessing down upon the beginnings of their life.

The dedication service is designed to bless children and is based on the choice that parents make on their child’s behalf. Some parents have asked, what about my child's soul? If they die at an early age (God forbid) and are not baptized, will they go to heaven? The Bible indicates that children are under God’s grace prior to the age where they can be held accountable for their own sin.

King David's child died in the first week of his life (2 Samuel 12:22-23). David describes the eternal destiny of his deceased son. By saying "I will go to him" implies this idea that the boy was in heaven and that one day they would be reunited. In a similar way, we trust that our children live under the grace of God until they are old enough to begin to choose their own way.

So neither dedication nor baptism is necessary to preserve their soul at this moment in their early life. What is important, however, is that they begin their life on earth with the launching moment of being properly presented to God and pointed toward God’s promise and purpose.

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How Child dedication can be a first step in becoming a better parent?

Parenting is obviously one of the most intimidating roles any of us can ever fill. None of us feel equipped to do it well. All of us are in need of help from any source that we can get it. Here's a recommended approach to grow in your skills and confidence.

Recognize the need for God’s grace – dedication is an open declaration before God and a request for His help. 

Get aligned with His Word - take steps to get your life right with God. 

Continue to bless your child – every day take time to speak in faith over your child. Claim God’s promises. Pray for them in your personal devotional times. Pray over them before bed or prior to them leaving for school. 

Study - some of the gifts we give to parents during the dedication process are tools for further help. Parenting is a skill that you can grow into. 

Join a small group - finding friends who are on the same journey is also helpful. We have a ladies Bible study that meets Thursday mornings. Groups like this can add a dimension of strength and sanity to the early years.

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