Child Dedication at Grace Church
Dear parents:
I am thrilled that you desire to dedicate your child or children to the Lord. I encourage you to carefully read (and possibly reread) the document (below) that describes 1) the meaning of dedication, 2) the parental promises for the dedication of their children, and 3) the words that will be used for the dedication of your children. It is important that you agree with these promises and words of dedication, since you are making a serious commitment to the Lord before God’s people. If you have a question on anything, please talk with me (Pastor Daniel – 651-303-7823).
Sometime during the service I will invite all the families who are dedicating their child or children to come to the front with the child(ren) to be dedicated.I will introduce the parents and children and then read the five promises, giving you an opportunity together to affirm each statement with “we do.”Afterwards, I will go to each child and place my hand on their head or shoulder and say these words, “(Name of Child) together with your parents who love you dearly and this people who care about the outcome of your faith, I dedicate you to God, surrendering together with them all worldly claims upon your life in the hope that you will belong wholly to the Lord, forever.”
Suggestions:
1) Read the and pray through the parental promises for dedication below. Pray as a family that God would give you the grace to trust in God’s promises to help you raise your children in the fear of the Lord, and to keep the promises that you make before the congregation in the strength He provides. 2) If you have older children who are not being “dedicated” on Sunday, explain to them the meaning of this service. 3) Invite friends and family to come witness this event. This can be a special time for both Christian a non-Christian family members to be invited to join us. For believing family members and friends, this is an opportunity for them to join with you in prayer as you make this commitment public. For unbelievers, this is an opportunity to explain to them the significance of your relationship with Christ in all areas of life.I pray that this Sunday will be a blessing to you and the rest of the congregation of God’s people. To Christ be the glory, praise and honor in the church forever!
Pastor Daniel
-----
THE MEANING OF DEDICATION
The Dedication of children is an act of faith performed by parents in the presence of God and His people in which we solemnly and earnestly offer ourselves up to God for the holy task of being Biblical parents and in which we offer our children up to God for his wise and sovereign purposes in their lives, pledging our allegiance to God above all things.
THE WORDS OF DEDICATION
PARENTAL PROMISES FOR THE DEDICATION OF THEIR CHILDREN
These questions will be asked to the parents in front of the congregation. At the end of each questions, parents should answer, “we do.”
1. Do you recognize these children as gifts of God and give heartfelt thanks for God's blessing?
2. Do you now dedicate your children to the Lord who gave them to you, surrendering all worldly claims upon their lives in the hope that they will belong wholly to God?
3. Do you pledge as parents that, with God's fatherly help, you will bring up your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, making every reasonable effort, with patience and love, to build the Word of God, the character of Christ and the joy of the Lord into their lives?
4. Do you promise to provide, through God's blessing, for the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs of your children, looking to your own heavenly Father for the wisdom, love and strength to serve them and not use them?
5. Do you promise, God helping you, to make it your regular prayer that by God's grace your children will come to trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of their sins and for the fulfillment of all his promises to them, even eternal life; and in this faith follow Jesus as Lord and obey his teachings?
"(Name of Child) together with your parents who love you dearly and this people who care about the outcome of your faith, I dedicate you to God, surrendering together with them all worldly claims upon your life in the hope that you will belong wholly to the Lord, forever."
No comments:
Post a Comment