Dedicating your child to the Lord is a commitment that you, as a parent, do before God and the church. In turn, your church – Austin Cove Community Church – commits to God and your family, to support you in prayer and counseling; to assist you with Biblical teachings concerning parenthood; and to provide opportunities and facilities through which you and your child can enter into the fullness of the Christian faith.
In order to understand the reason for Family Dedication, it is important to carefully consider what the Bible says about it.
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these’… and he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” Mark 10:14, 16
Why Family Dedication?
1. It is an opportunity to thank God for the precious gift of your child. “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” (Psalm 127:3) “Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:20)
2. It is an opportunity to publicly declare your intention to raise your child in a Christian home. Although you may have already done that in your hearts, to publicly announce it makes you accountable to a larger number of people. “Bring up a child by teaching him the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn away from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
3. It is an opportunity for a family dedication – where as parents, you commit yourselves to abide by Biblical principles and to raise your children according to God’s standards. Not only do you dedicate your child to God, you also dedicate yourselves, as parents, to Christ and the church. “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.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)
Guidelines for Parents
– Since dedication of children is a Christian act of giving children to God for His glory, the first question to ask is, ‘are we Christians?’ At times, people bring their babies for dedication because it is “the thing to do.” God is honoured by hearts that genuinely desire to please Him, without regard for what others think. Family Dedication is for Christian families.
– The next question is, ‘are we serious about this dedication?’ Parents should ask themselves if they really want to see their child serve God. Dedicating your child to God is an act of faith in God, believing that He has a purpose of abundant life for your child. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
– The final question to ask is, ‘are we willing to oversee our child’s Christian development?’ By dedicating your child to God, you commit yourself to maintaining a Christian home, where Christ is honoured and the Word of God is believed and obeyed. A child’s first impression of God comes from you, so you must strive to live Christ-like at all times. Children sense our commitment to the Lord and are far more perceptive than we sometimes realise.
When the days were over for her to be made pure as it was written in the Law of Moses, they took Jesus to Jerusalem to give Him to the Lord. Luke 2:22
Family Dedication
The joy of Jesus’ birth was shared with the people of God in the House of God. Like most Jewish parents in that day, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple to be presented to God. Long before this time, Godly parents presented their children to God. And to this day, parents bring their children to God, asking for His blessing.
As parents presenting your child to the Lord, you are signifying your own personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. You show a desire to see God’s will carried out in the life of your child. And you are acknowledging your place as stewards of what really belongs to God—your child.
Dedication means that by word and example, you promise to teach your child to live a holy life and to value the good gifts God has given us. You promise to give your child every opportunity and encouragement to develop into the well-rounded Christian individual God intends him or her to be.
Dedication before God and the church means that you realise that the church should have a large part in the spiritual growth of your family. It means a commitment to model a Christian lifestyle by worshipping with a church family regularly.
For more information you can download our Family Dedication Application Form or email info@austincovechurch.com.au
In order to understand the reason for Family Dedication, it is important to carefully consider what the Bible says about it.
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these’… and he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” Mark 10:14, 16
Why Family Dedication?
1. It is an opportunity to thank God for the precious gift of your child. “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” (Psalm 127:3) “Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:20)
2. It is an opportunity to publicly declare your intention to raise your child in a Christian home. Although you may have already done that in your hearts, to publicly announce it makes you accountable to a larger number of people. “Bring up a child by teaching him the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn away from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
3. It is an opportunity for a family dedication – where as parents, you commit yourselves to abide by Biblical principles and to raise your children according to God’s standards. Not only do you dedicate your child to God, you also dedicate yourselves, as parents, to Christ and the church. “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.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)
Guidelines for Parents
– Since dedication of children is a Christian act of giving children to God for His glory, the first question to ask is, ‘are we Christians?’ At times, people bring their babies for dedication because it is “the thing to do.” God is honoured by hearts that genuinely desire to please Him, without regard for what others think. Family Dedication is for Christian families.
– The next question is, ‘are we serious about this dedication?’ Parents should ask themselves if they really want to see their child serve God. Dedicating your child to God is an act of faith in God, believing that He has a purpose of abundant life for your child. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
– The final question to ask is, ‘are we willing to oversee our child’s Christian development?’ By dedicating your child to God, you commit yourself to maintaining a Christian home, where Christ is honoured and the Word of God is believed and obeyed. A child’s first impression of God comes from you, so you must strive to live Christ-like at all times. Children sense our commitment to the Lord and are far more perceptive than we sometimes realise.
When the days were over for her to be made pure as it was written in the Law of Moses, they took Jesus to Jerusalem to give Him to the Lord. Luke 2:22
Family Dedication
The joy of Jesus’ birth was shared with the people of God in the House of God. Like most Jewish parents in that day, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple to be presented to God. Long before this time, Godly parents presented their children to God. And to this day, parents bring their children to God, asking for His blessing.
As parents presenting your child to the Lord, you are signifying your own personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. You show a desire to see God’s will carried out in the life of your child. And you are acknowledging your place as stewards of what really belongs to God—your child.
Dedication means that by word and example, you promise to teach your child to live a holy life and to value the good gifts God has given us. You promise to give your child every opportunity and encouragement to develop into the well-rounded Christian individual God intends him or her to be.
Dedication before God and the church means that you realise that the church should have a large part in the spiritual growth of your family. It means a commitment to model a Christian lifestyle by worshipping with a church family regularly.
For more information you can download our Family Dedication Application Form or email info@austincovechurch.com.au
| Family Dedication Application.pdf |