CHILD DEDICATION
We believe children are a gift from God. We are excited that you are investigating a dedication for your child. Parents choose to dedicate their child because they want to let others know their desire to partner with God and the church in raising their child.
WHY CHILD DEDICATION?
The parent/child dedication is a public commitment before God, your church, and your family. The dedication service provides you, the parents, an opportunity to publicly express your desire to lead and spiritually nurture your child in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, so your child will develop a desire to love God and love others. The scriptural root of a child dedication is found in 1 Samuel 1:27-28 where a Godly woman named Hannah prayed year after year to the Lord to give her a child. God answered her prayer and she gave birth to a son whom she named Samuel. After Samuel was born, Hannah prayed these words:
“For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition, which I asked of Him. So, I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord.”
In Luke 2, found in the New Testament, after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple and dedicated Him. In both Scripture verses, the parents were willing to entrust completely their child to God. There are other verses in the Bible describing how a parent should raise up a child. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 reads:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon 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. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.”
God puts people and places in your child’s path to help you spiritually lead him/her. One of your first steps in remembering your child is a gift from God is a public dedication.
THE DEDICATION SERVICE
The dedication service has been compared to a wedding ceremony where, rather than a bride and groom, parents express their vows before God, their family, and church. Parents express their desire to raise their child in a God-honoring way.
During the service, the pastor will share words of encouragement and guidance for the parents, while also recognizing the role of grandparents, godparents and the church family. Then, each family will be invited to come forward for a time of prayer and dedication.
DEDICATION IS NOT A SACRAMENT
It does not impart grace or salvation to a child. Salvation comes only through Jesus Christ as each person recognizes their sinfulness and receives forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus and what He did on the cross.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHILD DEDICATION AND BAPTISM?
At Countryside we believe that baptism is for those people who have made a conscious decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Child Dedication is for parents who desire to publicly profess their faith and promise to raise their children to know and love God through their home and church.
Next Child Dedication TBA
Sunday Services
9 & 10:45 AM
(On campus and online)
625 Woodland Dr
Spearfish, SD 57783
605.642.0585
office@teamcountryside.com
Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
9 AM - 4 PM