Child Dedication:  What is it & why do we do it?

• Joe Slezak
• Apr 28, 2011
• Tags: Children, Parenting, Familes

On Sunday May 8th (Mother's Day), we will celebrate and participate in the ceremony of Child Dedication at Five Points. Any parents who wish to have a child (or children) dedicated should contact the church office to register.

So what exactly is Child Dedication and why do we do it? Is it commanded in Scripture like preaching, Lord's Supper, and Baptism?

Let me answer the 2nd question first. No - Scipture does not explicitly command Child Dedication. Rather, (to now answer the 1st question) we as followers of Jesus Christ dedicate our children to God as a sign of our commitment to train them in the ways of the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:4-7, Psalm 78:5-7). When you dedicate your child, you are affirming that God has given you a precious gift (Psalm 127:3). Parents are a steward of this child, not an owner of them. We pray that the child will certainly benefit from this commitment -- but the weight of a Child Dedication service falls most squarely on the parents. Parents own the responsibility as unto the Lord. Dedication is a serious public delcaration of our intent to obey God's word and pass on our faith to the next generation - yet completely dependent upon the good grace of God. At the same time, it is also an affirmation that parents are not alone in this joyful but heavy task:  the body of Five Points is standing with you! Just as parents make a public declaration, the members of Five Points have made a covenant promise and are reminded of this charge during the ceremony to come along side you and care for the spiritual good of your child. God gave his law and testimonies in the context of a believing community - the Lord knows our need and provides brothers and sisters in the Lord to encourage us and help us in our efforts.

Praise the Lord for the gifts of children, His grace in our care for them, and the gift of a covenant community to share in this joyful pursuit of passing on our faith to the next generation! Look for more posts leading up to the Child Dedication Service on May 8th.