WHAT IS INVOLVED IN DEDICATING YOUR CHILD TO THE LORD?
What exactly is involved in “dedicating” your child to the Lord? As mentioned, children are a heritage from the Lord. He gives them to us to bless us, and because of this, we must be willing to give them back to Him. We too must be willing to totally submit our children to the will of our Father.
Biblical examples of “dedicating” children to the Lord are found in Luke 2:21-22 (Jesus presented to the Lord) and 1 Samuel 1:24-28 (Hannah dedicates Samuel to the Lord).
Dedication is not a sacrament. It cannot impart grace or salvation to your child. Salvation only comes through Jesus Christ as each person recognized his or her sinfulness and receives forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Dedication is the recognition of the responsibility to raise your child in the nurture and instruction of the Lord. The dedication service provides parents an opportunity to make this commitment public before God, friends and family. As part of the dedication, your pastors and church family will stand with you in prayer and support of your family. We will commit ourselves to the ongoing encouragement and celebration of your family.