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Common Events/Observances: Child Dedications
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Introduction | Why Should Parents Dedicate Their Child? | Are Child Dedications and Infant Baptism the Same? "The Dedication Ceremony" | General Guidelines for the Dedication | Vows of Dedication Prayers of Dedication | Bible Verses for the New Baby Introduction There's no greater moment than when a new child enters a family. In these joyful moments, you as a pastor have the privilege of sharing how parents can express their full appreciation to God through the Baby/Child Dedication. A Baby Dedication service is similar to a christening, except no water is used. The service usually takes place during the normal Sunday or Sabbath service during which time the parents, family, friends, and church enter into a three-fold covenant: Parents promise to teach their child about the love of God, the salvation gift through Jesus Christ, and the working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. Parents, family, and friends promise to love and nurture the child in accordance with God's Word. The church promises to support the parents in the task of raising their child in the faith. Why Should Parents Dedicate Their Child? Are Child Dedications and Infant Baptism the Same? Those churches that do not practice infant baptism, however, maintain that baptism is a public statement of faith that can only be made by someone who has understood that he/she is a sinner in need of a Savior and has made a profession of faith in Christ. They object to infant baptism because infants cannot make a personal decision to believe in Jesus. The AOCI/ABTI does not seek to coerce anyone to change their practices based on our own interpretations of Scripture, as we believe this is a non-essential, non-salvific issue. We do encourage all persons to be baptized when they have come to understand their sinfulness and have placed their trust in Christ as their Savior and Lord. See the lesson titled "Infant Baptism", which delves deeper into the assertions for and against infant baptism. The Dedication Ceremony During the Child Dedication ceremony, the believing parents, and sometimes entire families, consecrate the child to God's will and pledge to raise the child according to God's Word and God's ways. As we said earlier, the Child Dedication service represents a three-fold covenant between the parents, the church, and God. They are making a promise to the Lord — individually and collectively — to do everything within their power to prayerfully raise the child in a godly way until that child can make a decision on their own to follow God. The pastor should instruct the parents that they are making this vow of commitment to raise the child in God's ways and not necessarily according to their own ways. Some of the responsibilities include teaching and training the child in God's Word, demonstrating an example of godliness, disciplining according to God's ways, and praying earnestly for the child. General Guidelines for the Dedication If grandparents stand with the parents, the pastor may want to say something about "three generations" being involved in the baby's dedication and future development. One Scripture that speaks specifically to grandparents is Proverbs 17:6— "Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers." Vows of Dedication Pastor: "[Parents, Grandparents, Godparents, Siblings], Scripture teaches: 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' and 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' This means you are responsible to teach [child's name] to do the same. As you love God and each other, you will model before [child's name] a wonderful love for God that he/she will want for himself/herself. [Parents' names], by coming forward before God and this assembly, do you declare your desire to dedicate yourselves and [child's name] to the Lord?" The mother gives the child to the father.
Pastor: "Having come freely, I ask now that you enter into the following commitment in the presence of God and this assembly. "So that [child's name] may walk in the abundant life that Christ offers, do you [parents' names] vow, by God's help and in partnership with the church, to provide [child's name] a Christian home of love and peace, to raise [him/her] in the truth of God's Word, and to encourage [him/her] to one day trust Jesus Christ as [his/her] Savior and Lord?" Pastor: "Modeling this kind of love cannot be done alone. It requires the help of others. For this reason, [parents' names] call upon the help of [godparents' / grandparents' / siblings' / others' names], I now direct my questions to you. By coming forward before God and His people, do you hereby declare your desire to help [parents' names] fulfill the vow they have just made as [child's name]'s [godparents / grandparents / siblings / others]? If so, please respond by saying, 'We do.'" Pastor: "Having come freely, I ask now that you enter into the following commitment: So that [child's name] may walk in the abundant life that Christ offers, do you vow by God's help, to encourage, through praise and correction, [parents' names] in their effort to raise [child's name] in the fear of the Lord, to uphold them in prayer, and if anything should happen to [parents' names], to assume responsibility in helping [child's name] receive our Lord's guidance and instruction?" Pastor: "Finally, [parents' names] and [child's name]'s [grandparents / godparents / others] have first responsibility. But parents need the help and support of the community of believers. So, I direct my questions now to the church. Of first importance, do you hereby declare yourselves to be the children of God because you trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life? If so, please respond by saying, 'We do.'" Pastor: "Would you please stand? Having come freely, I ask now that you make the following commitment to those who stand before you: So that [child's name] may walk in the abundant life that Christ offers, do you vow by God's help, to be faithful in your calling as members of the body of Christ, to help [parents' names] be faithful to God, and to help teach and train [child's name] in the ways of the Lord so that he/she might one day trust Him as Savior and Lord? If you accept this responsibility, please respond by saying, 'We do.'" Prayers of Dedication Pastor: "Lord, these tiny hands are so trusting. They are so innocent. And yet they will grow in a world that has been tainted by hatred, greed, sin, and darkness." Pastor: "Lord, the future seems so uncertain and yet we look at this child and mysteriously we have hope." Pastor: "As parents, spiritual leaders, teachers, mentors and friends, Lord, anoint us to give [child's name] an overwhelming sense of security that can only come from You." Pastor: "When he/she is hurting..." Pastor: "When he/she fails..." Pastor: "When he/she is lonely..." Church: "When his/her body and mind are attacked by illness or disease, may he/she look to You..." Church: "When he/she experiences defeat, may he/she look to You..." Church: "When he/she is needy and poor, may he/she reach out to us and to You..." Church: "When he/she is lost, and when he/she feels that he/she doesn't have a purpose, guide him/her..." Pastor: "We pray that You will be [child's name] Shepherd, that he/she will not be left in need. Lord, make him/her to lie down in green pastures. May You lead him/her beside the still waters. Restore his/her soul. May You lead him/her into paths of righteousness for Your Name's sake. "Yes, even though [child's name] will walk through the valley of the shadow of death, he/she will fear no evil for You are with him/her. May Your rod and Your staff comfort him/her. May You prepare a table before him/her in the presence of his/her enemies. May You anoint his/her head with oil. May his/her cup run over. May goodness and mercy follow [child's name] all the days of his/her life; and we pray that he/she will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen."2 "God of creation: Your world is full of life and wondrous mystery. In the joys of birth and sorrows of death, we come into contact with the heartbeat of Your glory. You give and You take away, and so we count Your people and Your little ones as gifts and miracles from Your heart, from the Spirit at the center of the universe, and from the center of our lives. "May this child, blessed gift entrusted to us, be raised to bear the Spirit of Christ and grow the virtues worthy of the miracle of life. Instill those virtues into the communion between [father's name] and [mother's name], that they may shed light to [child's name] and those around them. "Anoint their love and parenting through the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen."3 Bible Verses for the New Baby
Be sure to write the lesson name with your question or comment. --------------------------------------- 1"Embalming", Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 11 December 2012. Web. 06 January 2013. 2"Cremation vs. Burial Costs", Money Talks, np. web. 07 January 2013 3The "Second Coming" — Technically, the Rapture is not the "second coming" of Christ, as He is only coming for the saints, not to make Himself known to the whole world. Because of widespread confusion about this topic, some Bible teachers now refer to the Rapture as the "second coming" and a "third coming" when Christ returns to set up His Millennial Kingdom.  
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Psalm 127:3 tells us that children are a blessing, a gift of God's grace. "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward."