Aren't they too cute!!Let me say that it was quite surreal to be the one dedicating their children to the Lord today at church rather than the one praying for those who are dedicating their children!
What is child dedication?· It is not salvation for the child, rather we are asking the Lord’s blessing on the child and the parents, dedicating both to the Lord.
· It is done in the context of the church family before the Lord; we stand as witnesses and committed supporters of these children and their parents.
Why do we do this?
· The Bible gives us examples (in both the Old Testament and the New Testament) and instruction to do so.
· Hannah brought her young son Samuel to be dedicated to the Lord.
· Joseph and Mary brought the infant Jesus to the temple.
· As an adult, Jesus modeled the blessing of young children.
Mark 10:13-16 (NLT)
13One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering Him. 14When Jesus saw what was happening, He was angry with His disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16Then He took the children in His arms and placed His hands on their heads and blessed them.
PASTOR TO THE CONGREGATION: Dear brothers and sisters, the family is a divine institution ordained by God from the beginning of time. Children are a heritage of the Lord committed by Him to their parents for care, protection, and training for His glory.
These parents now bring before the Lord the treasure that He has entrusted to them, their sons and daughters. In so doing they publicly affirm their responsibility for the nurture and training of this child in the ways of righteousness and godliness in the Lord. (Thank You Lord for our friends and family, those able to attend and those who were not, who have prayed and continue to pray for our family!!)
· The Bible gives us examples (in both the Old Testament and the New Testament) and instruction to do so.
· Hannah brought her young son Samuel to be dedicated to the Lord.
· Joseph and Mary brought the infant Jesus to the temple.
· As an adult, Jesus modeled the blessing of young children.
Mark 10:13-16 (NLT)
13One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering Him. 14When Jesus saw what was happening, He was angry with His disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16Then He took the children in His arms and placed His hands on their heads and blessed them.
PASTOR TO THE CONGREGATION: Dear brothers and sisters, the family is a divine institution ordained by God from the beginning of time. Children are a heritage of the Lord committed by Him to their parents for care, protection, and training for His glory.
These parents now bring before the Lord the treasure that He has entrusted to them, their sons and daughters. In so doing they publicly affirm their responsibility for the nurture and training of this child in the ways of righteousness and godliness in the Lord. (Thank You Lord for our friends and family, those able to attend and those who were not, who have prayed and continue to pray for our family!!)
PASTOR TO PARENTS: Do you promise before God and these witnesses that you will strive, with God’s help and guidance, to love and raise this little one in an environment to know and serve Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord? Will you also strive to train him / her to love the Lord with all his / her heart, soul, mind, and strength, making use of all the helps God has given you in the family and in the church? If so, please declare, “We do.” (Lord, thank You for these two precious boys You have entrusted to our care. Make me a woman after Your own heart. Help me each day to teach the boys to love You and love others.)
PASTOR TO THE CONGREGATION: Do you, fellow followers of Jesus Christ, commit before God and these parents to uphold with high honor the sacred institution of the family? Do you also promise, as their brothers and sisters in Christ, to strive to encourage, help and support these parents as they seek to follow God’s design for their marriage and for the rearing of their children? If so, please declare, “We do.”
ACT OF DEDICATION: In the name of the Lord Jesus we present these children to God, to His protection, and to His saving and sanctifying grace.
This was an amazing day and experience! We had a brunch celebration afterwards at our house. It was so fun to visit and celebrate with everyone!! And Mike pointed out later in the evening, everyone at the church for the dedication were also at the airport to welcome us home last year - what a full circle we have come!!
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