Child Dedication

About Child Dedication

One of God's greatest gifts is children. God affirms in His Word that each child is personally and uniquely crafted by Him. Each child has value and worth simply because God made him or her. In His wisdom, God has chosen to entrust these precious gifts to us as parents.

For parents who are followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to recognize that everything we have really belongs to God. This includes our children.

Dedicating your child means recognizing that your child really belongs to God. It is a statement of your desire to raise your child to know and love God, and to fulfill God's purposes for your child's life.

Dedication Ceremony

While dedication can be a private matter, we also welcome parents to dedicate their child publicly before the church family. At First Church, we offer this opportunity several times a year during our Sunday morning services. As a part of the dedication ceremony, you will be asked to affirm your desire to follow God in your own lives, as well as your desire to lead your child into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

As this is a celebratory time, we encourage you to invite any and all friends and family, whom you would like to be present. We simply ask that there be no flash photography during the dedication.

Foundations in God's Word

The Dedication of Jesus as a Child
When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. (Luke 2:22)

Jesus' Teaching Concerning Children
[Jesus] said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16)

The Example of Hannah and Samuel
And [Hannah] said to [Eli], "As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord." (1 Samuel 1:26-28)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a follower of Jesus to dedicate my child?
Since we view child dedication as an expression of your desire to raise your child to know and love God, it is necessary for you to first have entered into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Do we have to dedicate our child publicly?
There is no command in Scripture mandating parents to dedicate their child publicly. However, there is value in making this commitment before others. It invites the support of our church family to encourage you to follow through on your commitment.

Interested in having your child(ren) dedicated? Please complete the form below and we will be in touch you shortly after we receive it. Thank you! We look forward to celebrating with you and are eager to walk alongside you as parents here at First Church.