Family Dedication

Addressing parents:

Today is more about the parents than the children. Being born into a family that follows Christ does not make you a Christ follower. But you have a special role in raising your children in a way that is glorifying to God and makes the faith attractive to them. You have experienced that the best decision you could ever make in life is to place your trust and hope in Jesus Christ. And we know that you want that for your child. Today you are making a public declaration that you, by the grace of God and the help of His people, will raise your children in a way that is glorifying to God and beneficial to them. This means encouraging, teaching, correcting, disciplining and building them up into the faith. There is a scripture in Deuteronomy 6 about teaching your children about God's law and word. It does not happen by mistake. It is about purposefully investing in your children spiritually. It is an intentional part of your parenthood. You are to do all you can to support and lead them to make the very best decision they could ever make – and that is following Jesus and directing their lives around him.

Addressing congregation:

Now another reason we do this in public is because God never intended for us to live life alone. From the beginning God placed us in a garden where we would build a community that would encourage us, support us, and help us raise our children well. These parents are committing themselves to God, and publicly asking to be supported and to be held accountable by this community. Together, as this Christian family, we can all be a supportive big family to these families, so that these little ones have the best chance of flourishing into the future. This is one of many things that is so amazing about Christian community – you don’t do it alone!

Parents do you:

Commit yourselves to being nurturing and caring to your child?

Commit yourselves to model your faith, share your faith and invest spiritually in your child?

Commit yourselves to seeking help and support when it is needed?

CONGREGATION: Do you commit yourselves to creating a community of love and support around these families and children?

Church will you now acknowledge their commitment and indicate your willingness to help them keep their promise?