Child Dedication is a public declaration of each parent’s intent to raise their children in a Godly home environment, teaching and modeling the gospel that encourages true and enduring faith for their children.
Deut. 6:4-7 Hear, O Israel: The LORD 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. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 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.
Deut. 6:4-7 Hear, O Israel: The LORD 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. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 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.
What Does Child Dedication Mean?
Throughout the Scriptures, family plays a pivotal role in God’s purposes. As parents, we have been given a holy calling, to raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Child dedication is a time for you as a parent to publicly dedicate yourself to this task according to the guidance of God’s Word, in partnership with His people, and in complete dependence upon the gospel of His grace. Child dedication is also a time for you to publicly present their child to the Lord himself in prayerful anticipation that they will come to trust Jesus at an early age, treasure Him all their days, and so walk before Him faithfully and joyfully to the praise and glory of God.
Acknowledging our responsibility in raising a child during the child dedication service, our entire church family will publicly state our intent to come alongside both you and your children as you take your next steps with Jesus.
Who Should Dedicate Their Child?
It is vital that parents/guardians be Christians before committing to raising their children to have faith in Christ. As such, we encourage only Christians to take this step.
Additionally, because discipleship of children is done in community, we ask that parents attend our Sunday services regularly for at least three months before dedicating their children at Stonebridge. This time is intended to deepen our relationship with one another as we prepare for this journey together.
Additionally, because discipleship of children is done in community, we ask that parents attend our Sunday services regularly for at least three months before dedicating their children at Stonebridge. This time is intended to deepen our relationship with one another as we prepare for this journey together.
Dedication and Baptism
At Stonebridge, we believe that child dedication is different from baptism and that neither is a requirement for salvation. Our practice is to baptize believers in Jesus by immersion. We do understand that many of us have grown up in church traditions that practiced infant baptism.
Interested in having your Child Dedicated?
Join us for a short class reviewing Child Dedication at Stonebridge as well as the logistics of the dedication service. Click the button below to sign-up.