Resources

← Return to Articles

What is child dedication and what does the Bible have to say about it?

Parenting | by Sally Bland

    What is child dedication?

    Child Dedication is a public sign that parents are seeking to bring their children up in the ways of Jesus, set them apart, and present them to God. By dedicating a child, a parent promises to follow God and accept His help in nurturing a vibrant faith in the life of the child. 

    Does the Bible reference child dedication?

    The Scriptural root of child dedication is found in I Samuel 1:27-28, where a godly woman named Hannah 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.

    In both Scripture passages, the parents entrusted their child completely to God. The writing of Moses found in Deut. 6:5-9 describe God’s plan for how a parent should raise up a child:

    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 doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

    An important step in marking your desire to nurture you child in the ways of Jesus is to dedicate him or her to God publically.

    If you would like to have your child dedicated, contact Sally:
    (503) 452-9375