We are excited when a new child enters a family. And what a wonderful understanding it is when parents know that children are gift from God. We are grateful that we, as your church family, can help you express your appreciation to God through baby dedication. What follows is some background info, suggestions, the logistics of the dedication, and a FAQ.
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BABY DEDICATION INFORMATION
BACKGROUND: What is the biblical purpose and history of a child dedication?
The scriptural root of a child dedication is found in 1 Samuel 1:27–28 (NASB), where a godly woman named Hannah prayed year after year for God to give her a child. He answered her prayer and she gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel. When Samuel was born, Hannah prayed these words:
"For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord."
In Luke chapter 2 of the New Testament, following the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took the infant Jesus to the temple and dedicated Him.
In both Scripture passages, the parents entrusted their child completely to God.
The writings of Moses found in Deuteronomy 6:5–9 describe God's plan for how a parent should raise up a child:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon 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. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses
and on your gates."
One step in marking your desire to nurture your child in the ways of God is to dedicate him or her to God publically, through a child dedication ceremony.
The scriptural root of a child dedication is found in 1 Samuel 1:27–28 (NASB), where a godly woman named Hannah prayed year after year for God to give her a child. He answered her prayer and she gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel. When Samuel was born, Hannah prayed these words:
"For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord."
In Luke chapter 2 of the New Testament, following the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took the infant Jesus to the temple and dedicated Him.
In both Scripture passages, the parents entrusted their child completely to God.
The writings of Moses found in Deuteronomy 6:5–9 describe God's plan for how a parent should raise up a child:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon 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. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses
and on your gates."
One step in marking your desire to nurture your child in the ways of God is to dedicate him or her to God publically, through a child dedication ceremony.
SUGGESTIONS: I’m making a promise before God in dedicating my child. How can I live it out?
Let’s go back to Deuteronomy 6:5–9 that describes God's plan for how a parent should raise up a child and pull some practical suggestions from it.
1. Live your faith out yourself.
The first thing this passage says is: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts." If you are dedicating your child to God (i.e. wanting them to love God and follow Him), then your lives must be an example to them. They will follow the faith they SEE in your life.
2. Be Intentional
The second thing this passage says is: "Impress them on your children". Training in the Scriptures. Training in Prayer. Training in Service. Training in Giving. Etc. These things don't happen by accident. It takes work and a plan. The spiritually developing your child is (a) not a passive thing and (b) your responsibility -not the church’s (see the passage above).
3. Create a Rhythm
The next thing this passage says is: "Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
It doesn’t get any more practical than this.
Deuteronomy makes clear that the duty of teaching children belongs to parents. Sunday schools can provide weekly instruction, but parents must seize the teachable moments that arise throughout life. Pray daily with your children. Read Bible stories aloud to them in the morning or before bed. Serve with them at church or outside the church. Create a rhythm that they expect and cling to.
Let’s go back to Deuteronomy 6:5–9 that describes God's plan for how a parent should raise up a child and pull some practical suggestions from it.
1. Live your faith out yourself.
The first thing this passage says is: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts." If you are dedicating your child to God (i.e. wanting them to love God and follow Him), then your lives must be an example to them. They will follow the faith they SEE in your life.
2. Be Intentional
The second thing this passage says is: "Impress them on your children". Training in the Scriptures. Training in Prayer. Training in Service. Training in Giving. Etc. These things don't happen by accident. It takes work and a plan. The spiritually developing your child is (a) not a passive thing and (b) your responsibility -not the church’s (see the passage above).
3. Create a Rhythm
The next thing this passage says is: "Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
It doesn’t get any more practical than this.
- when you sit at home - around your dinner table.
- when you walk along the road - in the car.
- when you lie down - bedtime conversations
- when you get up - morning conversations.
Deuteronomy makes clear that the duty of teaching children belongs to parents. Sunday schools can provide weekly instruction, but parents must seize the teachable moments that arise throughout life. Pray daily with your children. Read Bible stories aloud to them in the morning or before bed. Serve with them at church or outside the church. Create a rhythm that they expect and cling to.
LOGISTICS: What can I expect during a child dedication ceremony?
During the dedication service, parents express vows before God, their family, and the church, declaring their desire to raise their child in a God-honoring way. Because parents are the key role models for their children, they play a primary role in the dedication service.
Here are the logistics on what the ceremony will look like so that you will know what to expect on that day.
The Ceremony
[NOTE] Parents will bring their child to the stage AFTER the beginning worship set DURING the introductory video.
Parents, note that making promises to God and keeping those promises are a very serious issue in the sight of God. Ecclesiastes 5:4 says: "When you make a promise to God, don't delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him." So, when we you make these promises to God, follow through with them.
Then the pastor/elder will pray over you and your child.
During the dedication service, parents express vows before God, their family, and the church, declaring their desire to raise their child in a God-honoring way. Because parents are the key role models for their children, they play a primary role in the dedication service.
Here are the logistics on what the ceremony will look like so that you will know what to expect on that day.
The Ceremony
[NOTE] Parents will bring their child to the stage AFTER the beginning worship set DURING the introductory video.
- The parents will take the stage with a pastor and their children.
- After that the pastor/elder will make brief remarks concerning a baby dedication and what we are doing in this ceremony (see above).
- After their brief remarks, you will be ASKED THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
Parents, note that making promises to God and keeping those promises are a very serious issue in the sight of God. Ecclesiastes 5:4 says: "When you make a promise to God, don't delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him." So, when we you make these promises to God, follow through with them.
- Will you promise today to pursuing the Lord your God with all you heart mind soul and strength as an example before your child? Recognizing your children are more likely to follow God’s path by the model they first observe in you? – We will
- Will you promise to be intentional in introducing your child to Jesus and teaching them to trust and follow Him? – We will
Then the pastor/elder will pray over you and your child.
FAQ: Does Grace United baptize infants?
No. Scripture provides evidence that Baptism follows an individual’s decision to trust Christ alone for salvation (Acts 2:41, 8:12, and 10:47–48). And the New Testament records the baptisms of adult believers only.
In the Bible, we find parents bringing their children to Jesus. He held them, prayed for them, and told us to welcome them. But He did not baptize them and He did not tell anyone else to baptize them. Grace United believes Baptism is for those who have made a personal decision to trust Christ alone for their salvation, once they have the maturity and ability to understand what that means.
Dedication is not a sacrament; nor does it impart grace or salvation to a child. Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ as each person recognizes their sinfulness and receives forgiveness and eternal life through Christ and His work on the cross.
Rather than baptizing infants or children, Grace encourages Christian parents to dedicate their children. This is a ceremony in which parents formally call upon God’s blessing for their child and publicly commit to raise him or her in accordance with Scripture.
No. Scripture provides evidence that Baptism follows an individual’s decision to trust Christ alone for salvation (Acts 2:41, 8:12, and 10:47–48). And the New Testament records the baptisms of adult believers only.
In the Bible, we find parents bringing their children to Jesus. He held them, prayed for them, and told us to welcome them. But He did not baptize them and He did not tell anyone else to baptize them. Grace United believes Baptism is for those who have made a personal decision to trust Christ alone for their salvation, once they have the maturity and ability to understand what that means.
Dedication is not a sacrament; nor does it impart grace or salvation to a child. Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ as each person recognizes their sinfulness and receives forgiveness and eternal life through Christ and His work on the cross.
Rather than baptizing infants or children, Grace encourages Christian parents to dedicate their children. This is a ceremony in which parents formally call upon God’s blessing for their child and publicly commit to raise him or her in accordance with Scripture.