CHILD DEDICATION AT GRACE

WHAT IS CHILD DEDICATION?

To dedicate to something means that you are choosing to devote time and effort to a particular task or purpose. A child dedication symbolizes your commitment to devote yourself to raising your child unto the Lord. In the Old Testament, we see our biblical example of child dedication. Hannah asked the Lord to bless her with a child and promised to raise the child, Samuel, with a love for the things of the Lord (1 Samuel 1). When Jesus was born we see Mary and Joseph dedicated him to the Lord in the Temple (Luke 2). In both of these passages, the parents entrusted their child completely to God. Dedicating your child to the Lord means that you are committing to give your child to the Lord all the days of his or her life. Child dedication is a commitment from the parent(s) to live a lifestyle that raises their child in the values of Christ, apart from the values of humanity.

WHY DO WE HAVE DEDICATIONS FOR CHILDREN INSTEAD OF BAPTISMS?

We believe that baptism is an outward expression of an inward confession from the scriptural basis found in the book of Acts. Baptism is a personal and powerful decision. Young children under the age of accountability are unable to declare this change. This is why we give our families the opportunity to dedicate their children.

WHAT KIND OF COMMITMENT AM I MAKING?

When you present your child to God in the form of a child dedication, you are publicly recognizing that your child belongs to Him and that you will raise the child in a home committed to experiencing and loving Christ. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 says this, ”And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” As Christian parents, you are committing to teaching your child the truth found in God’s word. You are also committing to be a Christ-like example and to lead your children to a personal relationship with Christ.

ARE THERE ANY REQUIREMENTS?

Since we adhere to historical essentials of Christianity found from cover to cover in the Bible, we invite Christian parents who are married (man and woman) to present their children to the Lord as a couple. Due to the commitment being made in a child dedication, couples that participate in cohabitation unmarried are unable to participate. 

WHAT IF WE ARE NOT MARRIED?

A single parent is welcome to present his or her child to the Lord alone, provided that they are committed to doing their best to raise their child to be a follower of Christ.

WHO IS INVITED TO THE PLATFORM?

To make the dedication sentimental to each family, we would like to invite the immediate family of the child to join he or she on the stage during this event.

If you have any questions, please email us at hello@gracechrch.com.