What is Child Dedication?
One of the ways of demonstrating that you follow Christ is that you surrender yourself completely to Him. This includes your most precious belongings, such as your children. The act of dedicating your children to the Lord is an act of surrender which God will bless.
Why dedicate your children to the Lord?
Child dedication has a long history going all the way to Genesis 22 when Abraham was willing to give up his son Isaac to God. Others followed this practice such as Hannah in 1 Samuel 1 when after a long season of infertility, Hannah gave her firstborn son back to God to serve Him. Fast-forward to the New Testament in Luke 2:21-38, where Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to the Temple to dedicate and circumcise Him. In that instance, just like today, the dedication of the child was an opportunity for people to be introduced to Jesus.
What is the process for Infant/Parent Dedication?
In preparation for the Infant/Parent Dedication service we ask:
That you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. There are just two ways to live your life; under the rule/reign of Christ or under self-rule.
That you regularly attend Temple Baptist Church. An incredible amount of blessing from the Lord is available through His church family. Obtaining God’s best for your family requires frequently gathering together with the people of God for prayer, Bible study, fellowship and care.
That you meet with one of the pastors to receive guidance for parenting from God’s Word. In preparation for this meeting, please read Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus by Elyse Fitzpatrick, or Parenting by Paul Tripp.
“Hear my son, your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments to your neck.” Proverbs 1:8-9