As you consider what dedication means, we've provided some of the most common questions related to dedication to help you better understand this biblical practice.

WHAT IS PARENT CHILD DEDICATION?

Parent/Child dedication is an opportunity for parents to actively dedicate themselves before God, to provide everything necessary for the growth of their child physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually. The importance of raising your child in the discipline of biblical principles and the instruction of the Lord is written in Proverbs 22:6 “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Other scriptures include Deuteronomy 6:6-7 and Ephesians 6:4.

At Via Church, we define Parent/Child Dedication as the parental willingness to partner with God and the Church to raise your child. We believe dedication is not a sacrament; it cannot impart grace or salvation to your child. Salvation only comes through Jesus Christ as each person recognizes his or her sinfulness and receives forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER PARENT/CHILD DEDICATION?

Infants, toddlers, preschoolers, or children under 3rd Grade and their parents are invited to participate. Other relatives and important friends are invited to be present at the dedication.

Dedication of Jesus (Luke 2:22-24)

"When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him (Jesus) to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

The Little Children and Jesus (Matthew 19:13-14)

"Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

The Blessing of Children (Psalm 127)

"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate."

Dedication of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11, 24-28)

"And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. When they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli, and she said to him, “As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. 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.” And he worshiped the LORD there."