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Children are a Heritage 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. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 The Bible says that children are a heritage and a reward from the Lord (Psalm 127:3). God has given Christian parents the tremendous responsibility of raising their children in the ways of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). He entrusts parents with the responsibility of establishing a foundation built upon Jesus Christ early in the lives of their children.
Why Children Should be Dedicated In view of this responsibility, baby dedications are actually “family dedications.” The entire family needs to be lifted up in prayer so that family members will be empowered to keep their responsibilities. The Bible gives us an example of dedicating a child to the Lord in the account of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:11, 26-28. Unable to have children, Hannah wept before the Lord because of her condition. As she was weeping, she made a vow to God and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of your maidservant, and remember me, and not forget your maidservant, but will give your maidservant a man child, THEN I WILL GIVE HIM TO THE LORD ALL THE DAYS OF HIS LIFE…” (1 Samuel 1:11, emphasis added). God honored Hannah’s request and gave her a son named Samuel. Hannah kept her vow and dedicated (which means “to set apart”) Samuel to the Lord.
Requirements for Dedication To dedicate a child to the Lord is to make a vow to completely submit your child to the will of God and raise that child in the ways of the Lord. Parents who have not placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord will be unable to submit their children to God’s will and His ways, because they themselves do not know the ways of the Lord. As a result, we must decline any requests to involve an unbelieving parent in the dedication of a child. We view this as an act of protection rather than rejection, as we cannot encourage someone to make a vow to God that we know he or she cannot keep. The Bible says, “It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vow” (Proverbs 20:25 NIV). The Bible records instances where God dealt severely with those who broke their vows to Him (for example, read Acts 5:1-11). A believing parent may dedicate a child independently of an unbelieving spouse. Single parents who dedicate their children may not have boyfriends or girlfriends present with them on the platform.
Responsibilities of a Christian Parent Christian parents are to do all they can to “set apart” their child to God until that child can make his or her own choice regarding their relationship with Jesus Christ. By dedicating a child to the Lord, parents make a vow to raise their child in God’s ways and not their own. They commit themselves to this promise and must do all they can to keep it. The responsibilities God has entrusted to Christian parents include continuously praying for their children (Job 1:5), instructing them in the way of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6), setting a godly example (proverbs 20:7), and disciplining them as the Lord would discipline us (Proverbs 29:15, 17; 13:24). These responsibilities can only be fulfilled in Christ's strength (Philippians 4:13). As a parent, your devotion to God– or lack of it– will make a resounding impression on the next generation. May your legacy be a godly one.
Form to request dedication CHILD DEDICATION INFORMATION Having read the Dedication of Children brochure, we desire to present this child to God and to be diligent in fulfilling all the responsibilities of a godly parent. Please return this form to the Church Office as soon as possible. Expect a phone call within a week to confirm your child(ren)’s dedication. 
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