Child Dedication

The Dedication of a child is when parents thank God and pronounce blessings upon him or her and make a commitment to raise them in accordance with scripture. Child dedication is rooted in the Bible.  Deuteronomy 6:5–9, describe God’s plan for how a parent should raise up a child: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 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. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.” In 1 Samuel 1:21-28 Hannah dedicated her son Samuel to God and in Luke 2:22-24 Joseph and Mary dedicated Jesus.  In both scriptures the parents completely entrusted their child to God.

Although the dedication service is not a Biblical command, the commitment of Christians to raise their child in a God-honouring way is  (Ephesians 6:4 and Proverbs 22:6).  Dedication is not a sacrament nor does it impart grace or salvation to a child. Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ as each person recognises their sinfulness and receives forgiveness and eternal life through Him and His work on the cross.

Child Dedications, which are subject to Pastoral approval, are usually held on the second Sunday of the month during our Family Worship Service.  For further information please contact us at admin@rhema.org.uk