Child Dedication

Child dedication is special ceremony we practice in the midst of our normal worship gathering where parents dedicate their child(ren) to the Lord. Psalm 127:3 says, “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD”. Children are a blessing from the Lord, given to parents for care, protection and training for God’s glory. When a parent recognizes the sacred gift and responsibility of their child, it is good to dedicate them to the Lord before the church. The church family likewise commits to support the family as they seek follow Jesus and raise their children in the ways of the Lord.

The Bible gives us several examples of those who realized this gift and, in their own way, dedicated their child before the Lord:

• Moses’ mother, Jochebed, put her son in God’s hands when she set
  him afloat in the Nile to preserve his life. (Exodus 2)
  

• Samuel’s mother, Hannah, recognized that her child was the Lord’s
  when she brought him to Eli, the High Priest, to be raised. (1 Samuel 1-2)
  

• And Joseph and Mary, in keeping with the Law, also brought the
  infant Jesus to the Temple to be consecrated to the Lord. (Luke 2:21-24)

Child dedication is not baptism. We understand that some traditions practice infant baptism. However, at Valley, we believe that baptism is best understood in the bible as an expression of faith and obedience to the work of the gospel in one’s life and is a testimony to others of their personal faith in Jesus. Child dedication, as in any other ritual practice, does not save a child from their sins. Salvation is experienced only by God’s grace, through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). The act of child dedication is more for the parents as well as the church, committing themselves to the Lord and one another in the beautiful.

If you are interested in learning more about child dedication, please contact us by filling out this form below.