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Child Dedication & Baptism
What is Child Dedication at The River Church?
A child dedication is a Christian ceremony in which parents present their child before their local church community and commit to raising the child in accordance with God's principles. It is a public declaration by the parents of their desire to raise their child in the faith, asking for God's guidance and blessings over the child’s life.
The local church community also pledges to support the parents in this spiritual journey.
Unlike infant baptism, which is practiced in some Christian traditions, child dedication does not involve the sacrament of baptism but is more about the parents’ commitment to nurturing their child's faith and spiritual growth.
Our brief celebration includes prayer, Scripture readings, a brief exhortation to the parents and the congregation, and sometimes a small gift. It's a meaningful event that emphasizes the importance of faith, community support, and parental responsibility in a child's spiritual development.
CLICK HERE to request more information or HERE to register your family for our next Child Dedication service. To talk to someone about Baptism, click here.
A child dedication is a Christian ceremony in which parents present their child before their local church community and commit to raising the child in accordance with God's principles. It is a public declaration by the parents of their desire to raise their child in the faith, asking for God's guidance and blessings over the child’s life.
The local church community also pledges to support the parents in this spiritual journey.
Unlike infant baptism, which is practiced in some Christian traditions, child dedication does not involve the sacrament of baptism but is more about the parents’ commitment to nurturing their child's faith and spiritual growth.
Our brief celebration includes prayer, Scripture readings, a brief exhortation to the parents and the congregation, and sometimes a small gift. It's a meaningful event that emphasizes the importance of faith, community support, and parental responsibility in a child's spiritual development.
CLICK HERE to request more information or HERE to register your family for our next Child Dedication service. To talk to someone about Baptism, click here.
Want to read more about children in the bible? Check out these passages for your reference.
1 Samuel 1:24-28 – Hannah’s Dedication of Samuel
In this passage, Hannah, who was barren and prayed earnestly for a child, dedicated her son Samuel to the Lord after his birth. She said, “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” (1 Samuel 1:27-28). This is a clear example of a parent dedicating their child to God’s service.
Luke 2:22 – Jesus' Presentation in the Temple
Jesus was presented in the temple as a baby by Mary and Joseph, following Jewish law (Leviticus 12:2-8). This act can be viewed as a form of child dedication: “When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord” (Luke 2:22). Though this was more about fulfilling the law, it also demonstrates the importance of dedicating a child to God.
Proverbs 22:6 – Training a Child in the Way of the Lord
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” This verse emphasizes the responsibility of parents to raise their children in the faith and nurture them in godly principles.
Mark 10:13-16 – Jesus Blessing the Children
In this passage, people were bringing children to Jesus, and His disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14). This highlights Jesus’ love for children and His desire for them to be presented to Him.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – Teaching Children God’s Word
"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." This shows the importance of parents actively teaching their children about God and His ways.
Psalm 127:3 – Children as a Blessing
"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him." This verse highlights the value of children as gifts from God and reinforces the importance of dedicating them to the Lord.
In this passage, Hannah, who was barren and prayed earnestly for a child, dedicated her son Samuel to the Lord after his birth. She said, “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” (1 Samuel 1:27-28). This is a clear example of a parent dedicating their child to God’s service.
Luke 2:22 – Jesus' Presentation in the Temple
Jesus was presented in the temple as a baby by Mary and Joseph, following Jewish law (Leviticus 12:2-8). This act can be viewed as a form of child dedication: “When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord” (Luke 2:22). Though this was more about fulfilling the law, it also demonstrates the importance of dedicating a child to God.
Proverbs 22:6 – Training a Child in the Way of the Lord
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” This verse emphasizes the responsibility of parents to raise their children in the faith and nurture them in godly principles.
Mark 10:13-16 – Jesus Blessing the Children
In this passage, people were bringing children to Jesus, and His disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14). This highlights Jesus’ love for children and His desire for them to be presented to Him.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – Teaching Children God’s Word
"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." This shows the importance of parents actively teaching their children about God and His ways.
Psalm 127:3 – Children as a Blessing
"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him." This verse highlights the value of children as gifts from God and reinforces the importance of dedicating them to the Lord.
