Summary: A ceremony to use in dedicating a child.
Parents and children are to stand facing the congregation.
After introducing each parent and child, the minister is the read the text under each of the following headings:
Charge to the Parents:
Let us hear the Word of the Lord as it comes to us in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV): “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
It is the command of God that we should diligently seek to raise our children in such a way as to lead them to trust Christ as Savior and serve Him as Lord. In response to this command, these parents bring their child today to present them to the Lord and dedicate themselves to this task.
The precedent for child dedication may be found in Scripture, as in the presentation of Samuel to God by Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:28 and the presentation of Jesus to God by Joseph and Mary in Luke 2:22. Paul reminded Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:15 (NIV), “how from infancy (he had) known the Holy Scriptures.” Jesus considered children to be infinitely precious, and in Mark 10:14 (NIV) said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
The purpose of child dedication is really to be found in the purpose of the parents. Rightly understood, the ceremony is one of parental dedication. The parents are pledging themselves to obey the command of Paul, who in Ephesians 6:4 (NIV), tells parents, to “bring them up (your children) in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
Covenant of the Parents:
Minister: If it is your intention as parents to present your child to the Lord today, and pledge to “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord,” then please answer “we do” to each of the following promises:
Promise #1: Do you here this day recognize your child as a gift from God, and give heartfelt thanks for God’s blessing? Answer: We do.
Promise #2: Do you here this day dedicate your child to the Lord who gave them to you? Answer: We do.
Promise #3: Do you here this day pledge as a parent that you will bring your child up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? Answer: We do.
Promise #4: Do you here this day promise to give your child every possible benefit of home, of school and of church? Answer: We do.
Promise #5: Do you here this day, pledge to pray for God to prosper and bless your child as they grow and develop? Answer: We do.
Promise #6: Do you here this day promise to set a Christian example before your child as they grow up? Answer: We do.
Promise #7: Do you here this day pledge to do all you can to direct your child toward a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as their Savior? Answer: We do.
Commitment of the Congregation:
Congregation, will you please stand as a demonstration of your commitment to this (these) family (families) and join me in prayer for them?
“Father of all life, we thank you for the life (lives) now dedicated to your love and care. We pray that your mercies will follow these children all the days of their life. Bless these parents and help them to remain faithful to the commitments and promises made this day to you on behalf of their children as witnessed by this congregation. Help each of us in this congregation to fulfill our responsibility to pray for these children and partner with their parents in providing the kind of environment that will bless them and lead them to meaningful faith in Jesus. We pray this in the name of the One who said, “Allow the little children to come unto me,” Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, Amen.”
Present the parents with an appropriate certificate and/or a small New Testament for the child.