SF599 - Parent Child Dedication Service

INTRODUCTION

It is the privilege of the church to encourage and assist parents in the proper training and development of their children.  Therefore, it is appropriate for home and church to unite in this service of dedication for parents and children.  The act of dedication is in keeping with the teaching of God’s Word.  An example is the dedication of Jesus by his parents.

In this service of dedication, we are first to give thanks to God for the creation and birth of these children.

In the second place, we are to make a solemn promise as parents and as a church that, relying on the grace of God and working together as home and church, we will endeavor to provide guidance for these children in instruction, discipline, salvation experience, and growth in the Lord.

In the third place, we are to pray for God’s blessings upon these children, in the presence of his Spirit, remembering how the Lord Jesus Christ took little children and blessed them.

THE READING OF THE SCRIPTURES

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 “Hear, O Israel!  The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!  You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.  These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your sons 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 up.”

Psalm 103:17-18 “But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children, To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them.”

Mark 9:36-37 “Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, ‘Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.’”

PRESENTATION

We acknowledge these parents who present their children before God and this company of the church.

THE COMMITMENT

PASTOR (to the parents)

In presenting your child to the Lord, do you promise in dependence upon God’s grace and upon the partnership of the church, to teach him or her the truths of the Christian faith, to set a Christian example before them to bring them up in the instruction and discipline of the Lord, and to encourage them to accept Christ as Lord and Savior under the guidance of the Holy Spirit?

PARENTS:  We do.

PASTOR (to the congregation)

Do you, as members of the church, promise to join these parents in the teaching and training of these children that they may be led in due time to trust Christ as Lord and Savior and to confess Him in baptism and church membership?  

If you accept this responsibility, will you indicate it by standing?

PASTOR

Having heard these vows and being assured of your sincerity as your pastor, I joyously and with earnest prayer, comment your children to the gracious keeping of God, our Heavenly Father.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION