Child Dedication
Child Dedication is a wonderful Ceremony which involves parents giving their child back to God, while at the same time committing to teach their child the ways of God.
In Deuteronomy 6: 4-7 we read, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 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 upon 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.” As parents, you are committing yourselves to teach your child in the ways of God. We sometimes think it is the church’s job to teach our children about God, but according to the verses we just read, it is the responsibility of the parents to teach their children about God as part of their everyday life. A Child Dedication includes: Ø A special ceremony during a worship service Ø A prayer for the parents Ø An invitation to the parents to make a commitment to teach their child about God Ø A Dedication Prayer for the child, based on the meanings of the child’s names Ø A Dedication Statement on behalf of the child Ø A Dedication Certificate |
Common Questions:
Q: Is Child Dedication the same as Baby Baptism?
A: We do not practice Baby Baptism in Alliance churches because we believe Baptism is for those who have made a choice to follow Jesus. A baby hasn’t made that choice. Child Dedication is a choice the parents make, to thank God for their child, and to dedicate their child to God, promising to do their best to raise their child to love God. Q: Do we, the parents have to attend Bow River Alliance Church, in order to have our child dedicated here? A: We are willing to do a Child Dedication for anyone who is willing to dedicate their child to God and who promises to do their best to teach their child to love and obey God. We prefer the parents attend because this is a ceremony that should be celebrated with your church family. Q: If we Dedicate our Child to God, will our child automatically go to heaven? A: We believe the Bible teaches that anyone who believes in Jesus is saved. Salvation is not based on a ceremony of Child Dedication or Baby Baptism. That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.- Romans 10:9 |
| child_dedication_brochure.doc |
