One word: Fellowship

On August 31st, There will be a Parent Commitment/Child Dedication as part of the Sunday Morning Service. Here are a few details about what it is.

What is Parent Commitment and Child Dedication?

We believe here, at Fellowship Church, that we have a great responsibility to pray for, teach and nurture our children. More importantly we believe that what happens in the home has more influence than what happens at church.

Dedicating a child to God symbolizes the belief that our children are a gift from God (Psalm 127:3) and that the best place for them to be is in a loving relationship with Him. Dedicating children to the Lord is a beautiful symbolic act showing the parent’s desire to raise their children in His teachings and for the service of God. This is a commitment, a promise, a vow by the parents before God, their family and the church concerning their responsibility to love and to train and to lead their children into a growing relationship with God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:4). Dedicating a child is not something to be taken lightly (Proverbs 20:25).

Although the dedication symbol is a beautiful one, it does not save the child (get them into heaven) nor is it an assurance or guarantee that he or she will walk in a relationship with God. This relationship with God can only happen personally for the child as they are able to understand and make that decision for themselves (Romans 10:9,10; 2 Timothy 1:9). This is the same reason we do not believe in baptizing babies. The bible teaches that baptism is only for those who have personally accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior (Acts 2:41).

Examples and Meanings of Dedication in the Bible

Child Dedication is based on an Old Testament command by God to the Israelites to bring their firstborn for consecration (Exodus 13:2). The commonly known example of child dedication is the story of Hannah dedicating Samuel (1 Samuel 1:24-28). Jesus’ parents fulfilled this consecration ceremony as well (Luke 2:21-24). Other things besides children were consecrated such as altars, the Temple, silver and gold and even a mountain called Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:23).

The meaning behind consecration is the action of setting something aside to be used by God. And because God is holy, the object must be set aside to be holy in order to be used by God. It often describes setting up boundaries or shielding it from common worldly influence. It is the personal relationship with Jesus that makes a person holy before God (Romans 3:22-28), but the parent can certainly influence that decision by creating boundaries and shielding the child from common worldly influences.

The meaning behind dedication is the action of giving back to God what He has given to us (1 Samuel 1:24-28). It is similar to the action of giving back to God our money tithe and offerings. Often times, when things were consecrated, there was some form of gift (money or possession of worth) given as well.

If you would like to participate or have any questions about this Parent Commitment and Child Dedication please respond by signing up here by August 10. Also notice more details in July’s issue of the Family Ministries Newsletter and the extra brochure about this particular event.