Baby Dedication Service
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 1,297 viewsNotes
Transcript
Handout
Intro: Praise God! It is so good to see you all this morning!! Today is a special day! Today we have some parents who desire to dedicate their children to the Lord, and they would like you to share in this moment with them!
Baby Dedication is a ceremony in which parents, who follow Jesus, and sometimes, their entire families, make a commitment before the Lord to submit the child to God's will and to raise that child according to God's Word, God's ways, and in God’s community of believers.
Christian parents who dedicate a child are making a promise to the Lord.....often times people want to dedicate their children because it is the “religious” thing to do....or....it is tradition for you to do this....every baby born in the family has don eit so you must do it with your baby too.....
But this is more than tradition…this is more than fulfilling a religious sacerdotal duty.....This is saying that I as the parent…will commit and promise to do everything within my power to raise the child in a godly way, prayerfully until he or she can make a decision on his or her own to follow God.
That They as parents, grandparents, relatives, will be accountable unto God for this vow!
Parents who make this vow of commitment are instructed to raise the child in the ways of God, and not according to their own ways. Some of the responsibilities include teaching and training the child in God's Word, demonstrating an example of godliness, keeping them involved in a Biblical community of Christ followers, disciplining according to God's ways, and praying earnestly for the child.
Hannah made a vow unto God....
11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”
When God answered Hannah's prayer by giving her a son, she remembered her vow:
26 And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the Lord. 27 For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. 28 Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.
More Scriptural Basis for Dedicating Children
The Israelites brought their infant children to the priest for blessing (Leviticus 12:1-7).
Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to the temple for his dedication as required by the Law of Moses (Luke 2:22).
Jesus said: "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." (Mark 10:14).
Is Dedication the same as Infant Baptism?
Child dedication is not a baptism or christening.
The Bible is abundantly clear of what baptism is, who it is for, and what it accomplishes. In the Bible, only believers who had placed their faith in Christ were baptized - as a public testimony of their faith and identification with Him (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4).
Water baptism by immersion is a step of obedience after faith in Christ. It is a proclamation of faith in Christ, a statement of submission to Him, and an identification with His death, burial, and resurrection.
With this in view, infant baptism is not a Biblical practice. An infant cannot place his or her faith in Christ. An infant cannot make a conscious decision to obey Christ. An infant cannot understand what water baptism symbolizes. The Bible does not record any infants being baptized.
Are Children Saved by Being Dedicated?
We believe the Bible teaches that salvation only comes to a child through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (John 14:6) so salvation is not passed on to a child through dedication.
However, children in homes where at least one parent is a Christian have a much greater chance of following Christ.
A child dedication ceremony provides a public opportunity for a parent or parents to commit to provide that influence so that one day their child will make a decision to trust Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
In my opinion.....the single most important thing a parent can do for their child is dedicating them to the Lord and honoring that vow!
It is far greater than providing them with a college education, a car, money, a house…this outweighs everything you could do for them....because this deals directly with their eternity!
There is a responsibility to being a parent, grand parent, uncle, aunt, cousin, in law, neighbor, or even a fellow believer in Christ!
The responsibility of putting in the foundation for their eternity. And we ALL play a part! The main portion of this responsibility falls first to the parents.....
God will hold each parent accountable for the lives of their children......it is not the Children’s ministers job to build into these kids the foundation for a Christian life.....
there seems to be this misunderstanding that our children's workers have that full responsibility....I even heard a person say one time…I took my kids to church when they was small....
I did what you was supposed to do....so the could teach them morals and manners.....that's what I am supposed to do and that is what they are supposed to do.....nah…not how it works.....
The children's ministers build upon the foundation....that mom and dad should be laying....but what happens more often than not....is they have to build the foundation for the kids, because the parents won’t....and they don’t have enough time to minister to them other things.....
someone said it take a village to raise a child…and I agree....but the village is only the support system…they add to the teachings of the home.......the parents are the ones who should be training, raising and building up the children.
3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: And the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; So are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: They shall not be ashamed, But they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
Children are a heritage From the Lord.....They are a GIFT from God....they are a REWARD from him…a real blessing....TPT says it like this Children are God’s love-gift; they are heavens generous reward!
God’s intention for children is to be a blessing not a burden.....Now wonder satan wants to destroy them in the womb!! Not only did Jesus become the offspring to strike His head....he likewise now are who has authority to strike his head....
But consider His attack....it is always on the family…always on the children....he causes division in the home....home splits up…children suffer
What a sad day it has become that children have become such a burden and inconvenience that demonic organizations like “Planned parenthood” exist.....I mean like…really....even in the name…planned parenthood....that in it self is an insult to God.
He gives the children and they are His gift…His reward....no instead…we got some who would encourage the murder of our children....sadly the day is upon us where are children are forced to grow up in a society, that has encouraged their annihilation......
Because of convenience....of lack their of.....children are a blessing to be cherished!!
Verse 4 says they are like arrows in the hand of a mighty man.....the thought here is that.....each child will....in the process of time.... become a defender for their parents....a care taker.....a support system.....they will become the fulfillment of the promise of God in your life....they will carry on your life's work and passion......
the more children you have the more enemies you can conquer, and the more powerful he would be in the earth....so now....take it from a gospel stand point…the more children you have....the more children borne and saved to assist in bringing in the harvest! Then the Father in Heaven will be pleased!
Happy is a man who has a quiver full of them!! Try an estimate their worth.....bearing in mind that God has given them as a gift....they become incapable of placing correct value on....considering that they are a precious gift from our Heavenly father!
And this is how you should view your children and everyone else’s children also.....The day I got revelation on this....it opened up a brand new understanding....
God has chosen me.....the be the father of my children....which in fact are His children first.....he has trusted me…with their up bringing…their protection..,…to love them....care for them....teach them.....He has permitted me, with being a single most significant role in their lives, a the most crucial part of their lives.....
Oh Lord....that I would not miss the severity of this blessing!!.....and yet, when I watch how in this country…they seek to destroy the gift from God....up to 5 days after birth.....it stirs up such an anger in me!!
These precious children are a gift from our Father....an awesome gift.....What will we do with our gifts from Him? Today there is 4 responsibilities concerning children that we have as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters and as a church fellowship that we all share.
We have a responsibility to be faithful to the Lord.
What does this mean......It will do you and your child absolutely no good to dedicate them to God, if you yourself are not commited to God.
If the parents who are dedicating a child are not willing to submit to God, every area of their lives, then this is only a religious act!
It is a tradition of men....it is hypocrisy.....like we said last week concerning communion....if your doing it as a tradition....then you might as well just not bother....because
13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
13 And so you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition. And this is only one example among many others.”
There are many parents who just go through the motions, make it look good for appearance sake, or maybe possibly, they themselves were never taught that a Christian life is a life that produces fruit....it prospers for the kingdom…it isn’t a life without reproduction! That a Christian life....in order for it to be what the Bible calls it to be…must have some kind of fruit!
There are many in the so called church who are going through the motions, but have failed to honor the commitment they made unto God! They have no understanding of what it truly means to make Jesus Christ the LORD of your Life!
When you bow your knee......when you ask Jesus into your heart....you are submitting to Him and asking Him to be your Lord…to be the Lord over you.....
You are giving away ownership of your life....to Jesus....You are inviting Him to be your master and you are surrendering your rights to govern yourself and your life to Him......
This is why Jesus says....”You must Count the cost”
25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
If anyone....KJV says any man…but this implies to all who are in Christ....If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father, mother, wife, children, brethren, and sisters…even His own life.....they cannot be my disciple......This isn’t implying we should hate our family....or we should hate ourselves and our children....Jesus is using this strong language as an illustration of what a “true” Christian needs to be.....what a follower of Jesus needs to come to terms with.....
What He is saying is....If you desire to have anything to do with me and the Kingdom of God....then you must place a priority on me and the Father that supersedes everything else in this life!!
In order for you to be my disciple…you cannot hold anything Higher than me....you cannot hold anything higher than God the Father!
Jesus is saying....You cannot put anyone…or anything…before me....It doesn’t matter who it is......It doesn’t matter if its your dad…mom....wife…kids....family…or church family.....Jesus is saying I must remain at the higher position always! Your loyalty can never be divided!
He is saying you must prefer me more....you must prefer God more....You must desire to please us first....You must Love us MORE than your family......and if you cannot.......you cannot be my follower.....you cannot be my disciple......or if you really want to get in the mud....In Luke 9..Jesus is also talking about following and being His disciple
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Asking Jesus to be your Lord....isn’t a 3 second prayer in the back of a pamphlet....it is so much more....I desire that everyone know…that Making Jesus your Lord....is making Him the governing body over your life.....you are asking Him to be the master of your finances, the master of your family, the master over your career, the master over your home, the master over your life......As one would give allegiance to a King going into battle....in my life or my death…with all that I have I swear allegiance to You!
If you cannot do that....you cannot and will not be his disciple....and if you define disciple…it means a pupil, a learner....you are a disciple of Jesus if you are saved....because you are a product of someone sharing the Gospel with you.....However…according to Jesus…one should not do this unless they are willing to pay the price or count the cost...
You must renounce all.....giving up everything.....people....family....they may try and talk you our of God’s plan for your life.....but you must be willing to part with them to fulfill God’s call....though none go with me…still I will follow!!…..
Be willing to give up things that we are physically attached to....
18 Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good. 20 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’” 21 The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 22 When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.
Jesus says to Him you must give up everything that you have physically attached to.....leave your property.....leave your money.....leave your position in society.....leave your family and the family wealth behind.....become completely stripped of all your your identity....
then once you have done that....then you are ready to follow me....and be considered my disciple.....
See....this is a stiff price to pay....releasing all that we are emotionally attached to!....Sadly....family can hinder you from fulfilling Gods mission....but they can also help you fulfill it, by fulfilling it with you!
That is why children are arrows in the hands of a warrior…..
Jesus is demanding our loyalty....not matter what it costs you.....If he calls you to move away, into another state…or country…You must be willing to do it.......
Remove everything that would hinder you from accomplishing your mission! At all cost....honor your pledge to Him.
See many people approach Christianity with out ever learning what it means..... They love the thought of eternal life.....escaping hell......having Jesus at their beckon call....but they aren’t willing to leave the life they now live and enjoy.....People want all the benefits…but none of the sacrifice.....
So as parents....How does this fit into a baby dedication......I’ll tell you.....If you are not willing to be committed to the Lord....to be faithful......to commit to studying the Word.....to be committed to praying…worshipping.....serving.....leading others to Christ.....then you are only setting your child up for failure!
The rule is parents must be right with God first....you do this because you Love God....because you passion is Jesus.....it is your relationship with God that will make the greatest impact on their life....As a parent your first responsibility is to be faithful to our Lord.
the second responsibility
2. Our responsibility is to be examples for our Lord
Parents should be an example to their Children, but not just their children but to all children…and not just parents....but everyone…be an example for your Lord to every man, women, child, and every creature on this earth!
Be the example of the Lord you are serving!
6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. 7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.
Be a guide to them....be a living example of a disciplined life for Christ....You yourself are a pattern to your children…to their children....to you nieces and nephews....always walk in excellence....with the hopes that they catch you in it!…(good quote, not sure who it was)..
Demonstrate with integrity…in all that you teach and profess......this way ......if you are living what you are preaching....you words will have no impact if they are not backed up by a blameless life of doing what is good!
Your life’s actions will give your words a greater impact!!....you want someone to act a certain way…be sure you live that way yourself!......Then you will have earned the right to be heard and your words will be reinforced with your life!
Paul isn’t listing suggestions here....these are commands....part of the 1,050 commands in the New Testaments....
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
Paul says …you do what you see me do....and I will do what I see Jesus do....He is not saying ....do your best.....try your hardest....give it a good effort.....no he is simply saying....This is a command, from the Holy Spirit...
Paul understood....you have power in your influence....There is power in your example of your life.....
This example can positively influence others or negatively influence others.....it can positively influence your children…grandchildren…so on…and it can also negatively influence them.....’This is why it is so vital hat we recognize how our influence can impact someones destiny....and ultimately their eternity!
As a father I am a model for my children.....What I want them to be.... I need to become.....As a Pastor....I am an example for you....I have a obligation to practice what I preach....If I didn’t....who would ever want to listen to me…I wouldn't!
Parents need to be examples to their children.....Here let me give it to you the way I got it....DO you want them to make it to heaven? DO you want them to live successful? DO you want them to serve God apologetically??
Then Lead them that way!
Be the example at home…at work.....or in the market place....Lift your hands and sing praises unto God…worshipping Him....unashamed.....and not just Sunday....but mon..tues…wed…thurs…fri…sat....I love what Jentzen Franklin said about this…he said their would be alot less kid cicles in church…if there were less popscicles at home....meaning if they saw pop lifting His hands and worshipping....if the saw pops reading His bible....if they saw pops praying....if they saw pops imitating Christ....then they would!
They need to see you praying dads…they need to see you praying moms.....don’t run them out…invite them to join you!....They need to see you with your hands lifted High and hearts abandoned....crying out in worship....falling in love with God;s word.....They need to see you apologetically standing for God’s truth…especially now! Especially now more than ever!!....In the days they are trying to strip identity away from women…and innocence away from children....innocence away from little girls!
Your faith may cost your friends....but so what! If they stand for this garbage....then you don’t want them speaking over your kids lives!! Because all they can offer them is poison!!
Some parents are only the good examples just on Sundays....a religious person serves God one day a week but a righteous person lives it 7 days a week....
Some parents do not force their children to go to church....maybe because they were forced…maybe because they want them to make their own choice when they grow up......
can you imagine if you took that approach with ALL of the child's upbringing?? ..Well I don’t want to force him to eat his dinner....he just have ice cream ever night.....I don’t want to force him to go to bed on time....I want him to choose the right time to go to bed…I don’t want to force him to go to school....I want him to choose to have an education.....I don’t want to force him to take a bath......I want them to make that choice when they are ready.....
Now I know that sounds silly.....but it is just as silly as a parent saying I want my child to choose church!
Do you really believe this gospel? DO you really believe Jesus is the way the truth and the life?? If you really believe that this is the only way to heaven....I would be certain to do all that I could to influence them....I wouldn’t be giving them any say....listen…your gonna live in my house…you are going to go to Church....but just don’t lay down the law....live it in front of them....because if you just shout orders.....but never back it up with your life....your nothing more than a white washed tomb....beautiful on the outside…and full of empty and death on the inside!
A child will always follow the example they see in their parents.....that's why you grow up and one day go.....oh no…I have become my parents......
But the truth of the matter is children don’t prioritize God..because most parents won’t......the children won’t come to church…because they don’t see their parents making it a priority....well…I am extra tired today....I over slept.....I don’t think I can sit there that long........
Years ago I was frustrated with the lack of spiritual growth in the youth group....I was asking God what I was doing wrong....I taught them....modeled it for them.....begged them…and they still wouldn’t ever commit.....and then God revealed something to me.....I was frustrated that the results I wanted were far from ever being even imaginable.....
God real simply said.....The expectation I had on the teens…was higher a standard than their parents were living up to.....Basically I was preaching to them and asking them to do what their parents wouldn’t even do.....like ......come consistently to church.....
That only proves my point though....if children are without a godly example in their childhood and youth....they usually will not make the right choice in adulthood!
the 3rd responsibility
3. Our responsibility is to be trainers of our children for the Lord.
This understanding right here is what changed my life!! God brought me revelation on this and once He did....I was never the same again!
As parents, we are accountable to God for how we raise our children!.....One day, my twins weren’t that old....maybe a couple months....I looked down into their cribs, and God revealed to me that He was going to personally hold me responsible for their lives if I didn’t train them correctly.....If I didn’t do my part....I was going to be accountable.....for their blood....
I believe that I will give an account for every idle word and every idle action......so when I got this revelation....God said If I do the best I could....and they still chose not to follow me....I would not be accountable....If I raise them right and they grow up and depart the faith....I was released from my accountability....
However, if I didn't do my part....if I didn’t raise them, lead them, train them…teaching them the word.....modeling Christian behavior not at church…but at home....in the car.....at work....If I wasn't doing my part.....and they grew up and they passed from this life into eternity.....he would hold me accountable!
Let me just add.....it is never too late to start training your children!! Maybe this is the first you ever heard this.....or maybe you just got saved....or rededicated your life to Jesus.....Start today!! God is faithful and just to forgive us of all our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness!
I don't care how old they are…your still dad…your still mom....you still have influence!! Don’t let the past haunt you....make today count!!
6 Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it.
This verse is so powerful!! Most people quote this…and it rolls right off the tip of their tongue…and they completely miss what it actually means......
Folks grab this as some kind of rabbits foot....well I took them to church every Sunday…so I trained them right.....now someday…God will bring them back....eventually....
That is incorrect! Most people read this as a promise.....but this isn’t a promise.....it fits now along the lines of a law.....
You ever wonder why teenagers are rebellious and mouthy?? Someone says I don't’ know why my kid acts like they do.....and I am sitting there…oh boy ask me cuz I know!!
A kid who mistreats his mother....good chance he saw it somewhere else first.......
Teachers write the parents with a pink slip cuz junior is always flying off the handle whenever he don’t get what he wants.....flipping out when something didn’t turn out the way he expected.....mom or dad can’t figure out where they went wrong....but they forgot 2 days ago…the kids were in the back of the car when they flew off the handle at the burger guy for messing up their order.....or screaming their head off at a person who cut them off....use what ever illustration you want the point is....your children will always be a product of the real you!
The you that no one gets to see.....the you with no filters......the you behind closed doors....
They see you scared, mad,happy, sad, bitter, overwhelmed.....then they learn how to react based upon how you react....or how you have trained them.....
So you see this verse can’t be a simple promise....I wish it was that easy....If all we had to do is take kids to church to get them into heave....Im buying a bus!!We will start going around gatehring them up each week.....
But that is not the case....it is more of a law....like sowing and reaping
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Children are soil and what we sow into them, is what we will harvest! ....Whatever seeds we plant....is what will be produced in them!! This is quite basic and elementary…but....you want your children to produce good things…then sow good seeds!
If I am a procrastinator…chances are my kids will be a procrastinator...
If I am a liar.....my kids will be liars
If I am an excuse maker…always making excuses never my fault....my kids will be excuse makers
If I always pass the buck and never take responsibility…my kids will always pass the buck and never take responsibility
but on the other hand....If I recognize my own shortfalls…and determine…I do not want my children to be the same....
If I am a student of the Word.....chances are my kids will be students of the Word..
If I lead the family with a serving and loving heart....my kids will lead their friends with serving and loving heart.....
If they catch me always praying and always worshipping......then they will always pray and always worship!
What I want them to become…I need to be!
Lets take it one step farther.....what I permit others to sow into my children has just as much of an impact as what I am sowing!.....
Train up means hedge in…to guide…or to guard..in the way they need to go....the thought behind this is, when they come to a place in their life where they need to make decisions on which way to follow, they will have a complete set of instructions on every step they should take because mom and dad made it a point to school them and drill them thoroughly on how to act and how to perform.....The lessons were also taught and displayed by mom and dad!
They become so deeply rooted in their souls.....that it is no second nature to act righteously....it becomes their DNA
As parents, grandparents,and adults, it then becomes our responsibility to bathe them in prayer!
The last responsibility could the parents who want to dedicate their children please come up front.
4. Our responsibility is to keep the Lord before our children always!
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
We are to be training them at all times in our lives.....never stop training them!
The training is never finished! even if they are grown, you didn’t stop being dad or mom.....As long as your a parent.....your still training your kids....grand kids.....nieces…nephews....cousins....
Teach and lead them to Love the Lord their God
Teach them and lead them to have God’s Word in their Hearts
Teach them diligently, intensively, and intentionally
Talk with them when the are sitting down, when walking, when lying down and rising up
Teach them to put it all into practice by leading them
Put the Word before their eyes on a regular basis, family devotions, bible lessons, write God’s word through out your house....
Not one day should go by where you aren’t helping our children love and understand God better! Our homes are our first mission field!
This today…is not just a dedication....but it is a covenant you are making unto the Lord!
Acknowledgment of Parents and Child
To the church family, I would like to present to you Mrs.____________and Mr._______________ have come today to acknowledge and profess their dependence on the Lord to raise their child ___________________
(Ask for remaining family to join them)
Parental Affirmations
After each statement the parents will respond “WE DO.”
Do you come today confessing that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior and Do you commit to making Jesus Christ the foundation of your home and will you place your trust in God’s grace for your life and for your child?
Do you today recognize your child as the gift of God and give heartfelt thanks for God’s blessing?
Do you now dedicate your child to the Lord who gave them to you all, surrendering all worldly claims upon their lives in the hope that they will belong wholly to God?
Invite the family to join in agreeing:
Do you pledge as parents and as family 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?
Do you promise to as parents and family 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?
Will you love this child unconditionally as God loves us and will you teach this child what it means to be a follower of Christ and guide them towards Him?
To the congregation:
Do you, church, agree to support these parents, pray for them, love them, and be an example to this child through acts of service; and do you agree to reinforce the biblical instruction, discipline, and love of this Child. If you will agree to this, please stand and stretch your hands toward these families.
5 Then I, myself, will be a protective wall of fire around Jerusalem, says the Lord. And I will be the glory inside the city!’ ”
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
Father in Heaven,
We bring these children to you. These parents make a dedication to raise these children in your house, under your direction, and with your principals. They seek to honor you and the life you have blessed them with. Please help them everyday to be a Godly example for this child, carefully training and guiding this child in the way they should go. Help them to Love you with all of their hearts, teach them to love your word and to hide it in their hearts, and we pray for a hedge of protection be placed upon these children, that they would be kept free from all harm and attacks of the enemy! Father help their families to remember they too have a vital part in this child's up bringing and remind this congregation they also serve a vital part! Father these parents dedicate their children unto you this day! In Jesus name we pray,
AMEN