Child dedication is a public commitment you make before God, your church, and your family affirming your vow to raise your child in a God-honoring way. The dedication service provides you, the parent, an opportunity to express publicly your desire to lead and spiritually nurture your child in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, so your child will develop a desire to love God and to love others. As the parent, you are the primary spiritual leader for your child and you play the main role in the dedication service. 

Entrusting your child to God is biblically rooted in scripture:

• 1 Samuel 1:27-28, where Hannah, a godly woman, prayed year after year for God to give her a child. He answered her prayer and she gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel. When 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 chapter 2 of the New Testament, following the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took the infant Jesus to the temple and dedicated Him.
• The writings of Moses found in Deuteronomy 6:5-9 describe God's plan for how a parent should raise up a child: " Love the Lord your God with all of 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 doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

Grace Life celebrates child dedication twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Check the events page to see if sign-up is currently open. For questions, contact Family Ministries Director Emily Soule.