Baby Dedication

CHILD DEDICATION

In just a couple of moments, I will be calling upon several parents to come forward in order to dedicate themselves and their child to Christ. I want to remind us that child dedication boldly declares three foundational truths about the human condition.

1. That these young persons are precious to God, their lives are sacred because they are created in God's image to have the capacity of personally relating to Him.

2. In spite of the innocent beauty of these children, we recognize that they are sinners. When they come of age, they need to be redeemed for they , like all of us, are utterly helpless to merit salvation.

3. Dedication declares that Jesus is the rescuer. Jesus invited the little children to come because He knew, better than anyone else did, that they needed Him, too. (NLT) There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

TO: Parents who are dedicating their child

FROM: Paul B. Phair

SUBJECT: Child Dedication

Introduction of parents & child(ren):

1st Service

Matt and Caitee Guest

Dedicating Emily Irene Guest - 4 months

Dedicating Emily Irene Guest - 4 months

Let us hear the Word of the Lord as it comes to us in

Saul Roman and Timotea Ruiz

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 ESV

6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Dedicating Saul Roman Jr. (6 yrs), Leonardo Roman (4 yrs), Carmen Andrea Roman (2)

2nd Service

Dustin and Taylor Cason Dedicating Grace Marie Cason - 3 months

De

Let us hear the Word of the Lord as it comes to us in

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 ESV

6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

This is the commandment of God, that we should diligently rear our children in our most holy faith. In obedience to this command, these parents bring their children today to present them to the Lord.

This is the commandment of God, that we should diligently rear our children in our most holy faith. In obedience to this command, these parents bring their children today to present them to the Lord.

This is the commandment of God, that we should diligently rear our children in our most holy faith. In obedience to this command, these parents bring their children today to present them to the Lord.

The precedent for the ceremony of baby dedication may be found in Scripture, as in the presentation of Samuel by Hannah and of Jesus by Joseph and Mary. Paul reminded Timothy that "from a child" he had known the sacred Scriptures. Jesus considered "the little ones" infinitely precious, and he said "Permit the children to come to Me, do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."

The purpose of baby dedication is really to be found in the purpose of the parents. Rightly understood, the ceremony is one of parental dedication as well as child dedication. The parents are publicly pledging themselves to obey the command of Paul,

Ephesians 6:4 ESV

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

♥ Do not provoke your children to anger - includes building up a child’s positive self image

♥ Bring them up – this word also includes nourish and nurture

♥ Discipline – this word also includes correction & spiritual guidance

guidance-training

♥ Instruction – this word also includes encouragement & spiritual training

encouragements

2

COVENANT OF PARENTS

If it be your intention to present you child to the Lord, and to pledge yourselves to "bring your child up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord," please answer, “We do” to the following promises:

If it be your intention to present you child to the Lord, and to pledge yourselves to "bring your child up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord," please answer we do to the following promises:

1. Do you here this day recognize your child as the gift of God, and give heartfelt thanks for God's blessing?

2. Do you here this day dedicate your child to the Lord who gave him or her?

3. Do you pledge as parents that you will bring up your child in the discipline and instruction of the Lord?

4. Do you promise to give your child every possible benefit of home, of education, & of the church?

5. Do ask God's blessings upon your child's life, to guide, guard, and direct your child through all his or her years?

COVENANT OF CONGREGATION

"Will you, members of Reliant, be faithful to your calling as members of the body of Christ, so that these children and all other children in your midst may grow up in the knowledge and love of God?"

THE ACT OF DEDICATION

Parents will each individually say a word of dedication such as,

"In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Wife's name) and I present (or dedicate) our child (name, with middle and or last if you wish) to God and to His loving kindness."

"Lord Jesus, (wife) & I present our child (name) to you, believing in your loving care, and with the prayer that (name) would respond to the work of your Spirit to bring him/her to trust in you as Savior." – other dedication samples appear below.

"In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Wife's name) and I present (or dedicate) our child (name, with middle and or last if you wish) to God and to His loving kindness." "Lord Jesus, (wife) & I present our child (name) to you, believing in your loving care, and with the prayer that (name) would respond to the work of your Spirit to bring him/her to trust in you as Savior." – other dedication samples appear below.

"Lord Jesus, (wife) & I present our child (name) to you, believing in your loving care, and with the prayer that (name) would respond to the work of your Spirit to bring him/her to trust in you as Savior." – other dedication samples appear below.

Pastor's brief prayer.

APPLICATION TO ADULTS

There is an important spiritual lesson that we adults are to learn from children, and that is simply to trust our souls to Jesus as a child would:

Luke 18:15–17 ESV

15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

, "Then people began to bring babies to him so that he could put his hands on them. But when the disciples noticed it, they frowned on them. But Jesus called them to him and said,

You must let little children come to me, and you must never prevent their coming. The kingdom of God belongs to little children like these. I tell you, the man who will not accept the kingdom of God like a little child will never get into it at all.'"