Child Dedication Guide
for Dgroup Leaders / Officiating Ministers
(this is only 15-30mins)
A. INTRODUCE YOUR SELF and CCF SYDNEY
B. OPENING PRAYER
C. BRIEF DESCRIPTION (Background)
- DEDICATION OR “HAGIAZO” IN GREEK MEANS TO ‘CONSECRATE’, ‘SET APART’, ‘SANCTIFY’, ‘MAKE
HOLY’ A PERSON, A PLACE OR AN OBJECT FOR AN EXCLUSIVE USE OR PURPOSE.
- Child dedication is not merely a ritual or ceremony. Child dedication is a Christian practice wherein
the child is publicly dedicated (set apart for God / offered back to God) by the parents through
making vows to God. It is asking God to direct the life of the child to serve God’s purpose.
The parents also dedicate the child by making a vow before God to raise the child in Godly
ways. As Christians, the parents must be familiar with the Word of God in order to live out
biblical principles and model these principles to their child.
It’s not baptism, it’s not securing their spot in heaven, it won’t make them ideal, problem-free
children…but it’s a good start.
D. THE BIBLE TEACHES US THAT CHILD DEDICATION IS:
(Significance)
1. AN ACT OF WORSHIP
1 Samuel 1:20,22,25-28
20
It came about in due time, after Hannah had conceived, that she gave birth to a son;
and she named him Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked him of the LORD."
22
But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, "I will not go up until the child
is weaned; then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD and stay there
forever." 25Then they slaughtered the bull and brought the boy to Eli. 26She said, "Oh,
my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you,
praying to the LORD. 27"For this boy I prayed, and the LORD has given me my petition
which I asked of Him. 28"So I have also dedicated him to the LORD; as long as he lives
he is dedicated to the LORD " And he worshiped the LORD there.
Why is dedication an act of worship? Because Hannah was very grateful to God for
giving her a son. In previous verses, Hannah was not able to conceive at all. So, she
prayed and fasted for God to grant her a son and God indeed granted her a son. She
named him Samuel meaning - …let’s read again v.20.
Page 1 of 5
Hannah was so thankful that she was willing to dedicate Samuel and to present him to
Eli to serve in the house of the Lord. In dedicating her only son to God, Hannah was
acknowledging God as the giver of this gift. Because Samuel’s life was from God,
Hannah was not really giving him up. Rather, she was returning him to God
who had given Samuel to Hannah in the first place.
These verses illustrate the kind of worship we should give to God.
2. AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF GOD’S SOVEREIGN OWNERSHIP OF
EVERYTHING
Psalm 24:1 – 1The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who
live in it
Because “the earth is the LORD’s and everything in it,” all of us are stewards or
caretakers of God’s blessings. Although we are not the owners, we are acting owners
meaning we should take proper care of His creation.
The same goes for our children. As parents we must realize that our children belong to
God. They are not our ownership. It is God who owns them but He gave us the
responsibility to take care of them.
E. A LEGACY OF GODLY LIVING
THE ROLE OF THE PARENTS:
❖ Since both (name of husband) and (name of wife) have accepted Jesus Christ as their
personal Lord and Savior, the Bible testifies that (name of husband) and (name of wife)
are children of God, born again from darkness into light. The parents are to share the
gospel with their children. Both parents need to direct the life of (name of child)
towards God so that when (name of child) grows up, he/she will give service to God and
be part in the building of His Kingdom.
How can a parent impart a legacy of Godly living?
TEACH and TRAIN the child (e.g. classroom vs internship)
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 - 5Love the LORD your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give
you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 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.
Proverbs 22:6 - 6Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old
he will not turn from it.
Page 2 of 5
The key to training our children to love and follow God is to make God a part of our
lives. The best way we can leave a Godly legacy to (name of child) is to live out biblical
principles. Deut 6:7 says “Impress them (biblical principles) on your children. Talk about
them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lied down,
and when you get up.” We are to love God, think and live out constantly His word, and
teach these to our children.
What are examples of day to day applying of His Word? Treat our husband or wives with
love and respect. Spend quality time with the family. Fulfill promises made to each
other. Live out integrity, honesty, and servanthood in dealing with our family and with
others.
DISCIPLINE the child
Proverbs 13:24 - 24He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him
is careful to discipline him.
It’s good to be our children’s friend but more than that, our children need us most to be
their parents. This includes discipline. More often, it pains us parents to implement
discipline but God Himself says in Proverbs 13:24 that a parent who fails to discipline his
child is a parent who doesn’t know how to love his child biblically.
As parents, always remember our children learn the most at home. When we model
biblically, they can pass on the Godly legacy to their children and their children’s children
when they become parents in the future.
F. A COMMUNITY COMMITMENT (ask sponsors to stand up and
come to the front)
As sponsors and witnesses, we also have a role in raising the child. This is done by
reminding the parents to live holy lives pleasing to God. It is also our role to pray for them
as often as the Lord reminds us.
Colossians 3:16 - 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and
admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Proverbs 15:31 - 31
He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the
wise.
❖ THE ROLE OF THE SPONSORS AND WITNESSES:
SPONSORS:
o To also live lives holy and pleasing to God
o Be willing to stand in the way of the parents if ever their husband/wife
relationship is not glorifying to God
Page 3 of 5
o Be available to counsel, guide and admonish the parents in raising up their child
in the ways of the Lord
o Pray for the parents and child as often as the Lord reminds you of them to be
committed to the vows they made
WITNESS: RELATIVES, FRIENDS & GUESTS
o Pray for the parents and child as often as the Lord reminds you of them to be
committed to the vows they made
G. Prayer of Dedication (by the parents)
Sample of vows made by the parents:
▪ Promise to raise up child in the fear and reverence of God
▪ Lead child to knowing and accepting Christ as personal Lord & Savior, even at an early
age.
▪ Both parents live righteous lives, to be Godly examples that your child can look up to
and follow.
Sample:
As parents of (Sophia), we make a promise to God to live as an example of godliness and
love for God and for others as we raise (her) into the Christian family. We dedicate
(Sophia) to the Lord knowing full well that (she) belongs to God and that (she) is God’s
blessing to us. We vow to raise (Sophia) with Biblical values and principles: a life of faith,
worship, and fear of the Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
H. THE GREATEST ACT OF DEDICATION (Evangelistic)
John 3:16 - 16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
The entire gospel comes to a focus in this verse. God’s love is not static or self-centered; it
reaches out and draws others in. Here God sets the pattern of true love, the basis for all
love relationships—when you love someone dearly, you are willing to give freely to the point
of self-sacrifice. God paid dearly with the life of his Son, the highest price he could pay.
Jesus accepted our punishment, paid the price for our sins, and then offered us the new life
that he had bought for us. When we share the gospel with others, our love must be like
Jesus’—willingly giving up our own comfort and security so that others might join us in
receiving God’s love.
To “believe” is more than intellectual agreement that Jesus is God. It means to put our trust
and confidence in him that he alone can save us. It is to put Christ in charge of our present
plans and eternal destiny. Believing is both trusting his words as reliable and relying on him
Page 4 of 5
for the power to change. If you have never trusted Christ, let this promise of everlasting life
be yours—and believe.
Prayer of Acceptance:
Lord Jesus, I need you. I confess that I am a sinner. I believe that you died on
the cross to pay for all my sins. With Your help, I will turn away from my sins.
Please come into my life and be my Savior and my Master. I accept your free
gift of eternal life. Make me the kind of new person you want me to be. Thank
you for coming into my life and giving me eternal life. Amen.
H. CLOSING PRAYER/BENEDICTION (By the officiating minister)
Child Dedication is a ceremony that marks parents’ commitment—and the commitment of our
church family—to do our very best to lead kids into a trusting and loving relationship with
Jesus Christ. Child Dedication is a one-time event, but raising godly kids takes a long time.
That is why we encourage parents to join a small group and be part of it so that you can be
supported by other members of the small group especially those ones who have been there in
your current life stage. We are also encouraging parents to attend church events relating to
parenting and improving husband/wife & family relationships.
Sample prayer:
Now to Him who is able to keep (Joshua & Joy) from stumbling and to make them stand
blameless in the presence of the Lord, may He continually guide (Joshua & Joy) to be loving,
gracious, and just parents to (Sophia). Teach them O Lord to balance love with discipline.
Teach them to be role models to (Sophia). And with great joy, to the one and only Lord and
Savior Jesus Chris, be the glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and
forever. Amen.
Page 5 of 5
