Child dedication is grounded in God's love for children. During Jesus' earthly ministry, parents brought their children to him for blessing. The disciples considered him too busy and important to trifle with such insignificant matters. Jesus rebuked them: "Permit the little children come to me, and do not hinder them! The kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (Mark 10:14). In child dedication we celebrate the kindness of a God who values children.
Child dedication is an expression of gratitude to God for his generosity. Children are a gift from God (Psalm 127:3). Grateful for the birth of Samuel, Hannah offered her son to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:24-28). Thankful for the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary presented him to the Lord (Luke 2:22-24). So today, Christian parents gratefully offer their children back to God for his service in whatever way he deems fit.
Child dedication is an act of prayer that the child will grow to love and serve God. "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" (Proverbs 22:6). A dedication ceremony does not impart eternal life, nor does it guarantee that a child will later come to faith: each individual must personally repent of sin and trust God for salvation through faith in Christ, at an appropriate age. Child dedication does, however, offer a hopeful plea to a gracious God that that he will call the child to himself in due course.
Child dedication is a commitment to raise the child in ways that foster spiritual growth and emotional health. The Bible urges parents: "Do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4; see also Colossians 3:21). Parents are to teach their children the word of God: "Impress these commandments on your children" (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). They are to discipline their children gently and consistently: "Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death" (Proverbs 19:18). Most of all, they are to model spiritual devotion and moral integrity by their own lifestyle and conduct.
Child dedication is more than a private commitment by parents to God. It is a public ceremony conducted in the midst of the congregation gathered for worship. While primary responsibility for the care and nurture of the child rests with the parents, the church corporately and severally commits itself to support both in this collective pilgrimage of faith.
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