CHILD DEDICATION

The General Idea

A Baby Dedication is a special rite observed in a
worship service where parents pledge to raise a
child in the Christian faith. Because raising a child
in the faith is not done independently, I
recommend involving the parents, godparents (if
applicable), and congregation in the charge to help
each party recognize their responsibility in
nurturing a child in the faith. I have provided a
sample charge to the parents, godparents, and
congregation below.

Dedication Biblical Authority: Matthew 19:13-

15
Then little children were brought to Jesus for him
to place his hands on them and pray for them. But
the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and
do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven
belongs to such as these." When he had placed his
hands on them, he went on from there.

Address to the Congregation

The family is a divine institution ordained of God
from the beginning of time. Children are a heritage
of the Lord committed by Him to their parents for
care, provision, protection, and spiritual training.
It is good when parents recognize all of these
obligations and responsibilities and make every
effort to fully carry them out. In this act of
dedication FATHER’S NAME and MOTHER’S
NAME acknowledge these responsibilities and
come before us today to dedicate themselves and
CHILD’S NAME to God and his will for their
lives as a family.

At CHURCH NAME, we dedicate children rather

than baptize them. Just as Hannah dedicated
Samuel to the Lord and Joseph and Mary
dedicated the infant Jesus to the Lord according to
Jewish custom, we believe dedication more
closely follows the biblical pattern than baptism,
of which we have no precedent of an infant or
child being baptized in the Bible. Thus, this
dedication ritual does not impart faith or
forgiveness of sins to CHILD’S NAME. Rather, it
is FATHER’S NAME and MOTHER’S NAME’S
public acknowledgment that CHILD’S NAME is a
gift from God to them, and that they have a
spiritual responsibility for the Christian nurture
and training of this child.

Charge to the Parents

FATHER’S NAME and MOTHER’S NAME, you
have brought CHILD’S NAME before us today to
publicly dedicate her to the Lord. I have a series of
questions to ask you, and please affirm your
desires by answering each of them, “WE WILL.”
 • Will you accept your God-given responsibility
to raise CHILD’S NAME in a Christ-centered
home?
• Will you teach and discipline her in your home
so that you are not solely dependent on the
church or school system to impart biblical
knowledge and spiritual values to CHILD’S
NAME?
• Will you not assume that your careers or peer
approval are the highest goals in life; but rather
what will advance the cause of Christ?
• Will you not make your life’s choices based on
secular trends or material gain, but rather will
you make your life’s choices based on what
will benefit and strengthen the faith of your
family?
• FATHER’S NAME as her earthly father, will
you give CHILD’S NAME the time and
attention and affection that show the true
nature of her Father in Heaven?
• MOTHER’S NAME, as her earthly mother,
will you give CHILD’S NAME the special
attachment she craves from you and the special
nurturing touch that you are uniquely gifted by
God to give her?
Charge to the Godparents (optional)
GODPARENT FATHER’ NAME and
GODPARENT MOTHER’S NAME, you have
accepted FATHER’S NAME and MOTHER’S
NAME’s request for you to be godparents to their
child. I have a series of questions to ask you, and
please affirm your desires by answering each of
them, “WE WILL.”
• In accepting this role, will you regularly pray
for FATHER’S NAME, MOTHER’S NAME,
and CHILD’S NAME?
• As close relatives to this family, will you
conduct your lives in a way that reinforces the
biblical values that CHILD’S NAME is taught
in his/her home?
• If in the future FATHER’S NAME and
MOTHER’S NAME are not able available for
CHILD’S NAME, will you do everything in
your power to help him/her follow Christ?
Charge to the Congregation (standing)
• Congregation, will you as the community of
faith support FATHER’S NAME and
MOTHER’S NAME and CHILD’S NAME by
the Christian love and example you set by your
lives? If so, please say, “We will.”
Prayer of Dedication
Conclude the charge with a prayer of dedication.