At The Orchard Church, we LOVE parent/child dedication. It is such an important thing for us to make commitments to God and to each other when it comes to raising our children. This brief ceremony doesn’t really benefit the child in any way, but it is such an important statement that parents are making to each other and to the church. When you’re a parent dedicating a child, there are three things you’re saying:
You are intentional about following the example in God’s Word
Scripture describes devout parents who dedicate their children, trusting them to God. Hannah was a godly woman who had prayed for a long time for a child. When her son, Samuel, was finally born, Hannah dedicated him to God in the temple.
“For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord.” – 1 Samuel 1:27-28
Jesus himself was dedicated at the temple by his earthly parents, Joseph and Mary. (Luke 2:22-32)
You are serious about raising your child God’s way
This is a public expression of your desire to lead and spiritually nurture your child in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, so your child will develop a desire to love God and to love others.
Moses was intent on explaining this idea to his people.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” -Deuteronomy 6:5-9
You are proactive in partnering with the Body of Christ
This is also a public expression that you are relying on the church to do our part in supporting you in raising your child for Christ. Our vision, beliefs, ministries, and groups all work together as one effective unit used by God to speak into your child’s life.
But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. -1 Corinthians 12:24-27
I hope you’ll join us for parent/child dedication this coming Sunday. If you have a child to dedicate, just let us know with this easy form. We’d love to stand with you on Mother’s Day and commit together do do something great for God in the lives of our kids.