“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3
You and your child’s dedication
We have a tremendous responsibility when the Lord blesses us with a child. We view child dedication as “family dedication.” The entire family requires spiritual support in this delightful privledge.
But first, what is exactly involved in child dedication? Children are a blessing and gift from God who has entrusted them to our care. This is simply awesome! We must be willing to give them back to the Lord for Him to work out His plans and purposes for this child.
A perfect example of “dedicating” a child to the Lord is given to us in 1 Samuel 1:11, 26-68. Hannah, being without children for many years, was weeping before God because of her barrenness. As she was weeping, she made a vow to God. “And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime…” (1 Samuel 1:11)
God honored Hannah’s request and gave her a son named Samuel. Hannah then, keeping her promise to God, dedicated (or set apart) Samuel to the Lord.
We see here a beautiful example of what our attitude should be towards our children and their relationship to God. We are to do the most we can to “set apart” or “dedicate” our children to God until that day when they can make their own choice. By dedicating your children to the Lord, you are making a vow to raise them in His ways, according to His standards as set out in Scripture. The following is a list (though not exhaustive) of some of the things parents do as part of keeping their vows made at dedication.
1. KNOW GOD’S GIFT OF LOVE
The greatest importance is to know the gift of God’s love in Jesus Christ personally as parents. In John 3: 16 & 17, the Bible says, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”
2. BE A LIVING EXAMPLE OF CHRIST
It does not do your child any good to instruct in the way of the Lord, if you yourself do not walk what you talk. Therefore, it is good to always be examining yourself and your witness to your children. Proverbs 20:7 says, “the godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.”
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 “So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them 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. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.”
The main reason for this man’s children blessed state is that they have someone to look to and to use as an example to model their own behavior. What a benefit to work daily at being a godly example.
3. INSTRUCT YOUR CHILD IN THE WAY OF THE LORD
We are taught in Ephesians 6:4 to “…bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” And Proverbs 22:6 adds “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” If we, as our children are young, instruct them in God’s way and the Christian principles set out in the scripture, our children will be grounded and have a strong foundation in the ways of God for a lifetime.
4. PRAY CONSTANTLY FOR YOUR CHILD
A parent’s responsibility to pray for their child does not end at dedication, but continues throughout the rest of their life.
We see in James 5:16. “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” The prayer of Christ centered parents powerfully covers their children in prayer that will produce effective changes and blessings for a lifetime.
5. Our Example of Child Dedication
Mark 10:13-16 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For, the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
6. SCRIPTURE FOR PARENTS
(All scriptures use the New Living Translation)
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 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. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 12:28 Be careful to obey all my commands, so that all will go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and pleasing to the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy 32:46 he added: “Take to heart all the words of warning I have given you today. Pass them on as a command to your children so they will obey every word of these instructions.”
Psalm 103:17-18 but the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!
Proverbs 22:6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it
Matthew 18:4-6 So, anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.
Matthew 18:10-14 “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For, I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.” If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.
The question may be asked: I do not attend MGA on a regular basis and do not currently consider myself to be a practicing believer, am I still able to have my child dedicated? The answer is yes. If you are able to affirm the following, you are to participate in Child Dedication.
1. Parents are to recognize that children are created by God and that God has first right of ownership of their child.
2. Parents must be willing to commit time to personal preparation in the dedication of their child by learning about God’s will for their lives, both in personal living and in parenting.
3. The parent must acknowledge the spiritual nature of child dedication and in parenting.
4. Parents must be willing to make a public and sincere declaration of their commitment to God’s interest and purpose for their child.
The dedication of your family is a serious and joyful matter. It is hoped that this information has helped you recognize the extent of this commitment that you are making. If you would like to register to have your child dedicate date our next Dedication Sunday, you can fill our the registration form here and email it back to the office at your earliest convenience.
