Raising Your Child in a God-Honoring Home

Recommended for Birth-2 Years

What is Child Dedication?

Parent Child Dedication is a special time in which you make a formal commitment to raise your child in a Christ-centered home. We see several examples in the Bible such as 1 Samuel 1:24–2:10 where Hannah dedicated Samuel at the temple and Luke 2 where Mary and Joseph dedicated Jesus. Ideally,you will make the commitment in front of the church body or with a group of close friends and relatives as a public pledge that you will raise your child to know,love, and follow Jesus Christ. God designed the home as the primary place for faith to be nurtured. One way that we seek to partner with you is by providing resources throughout your child’s spiritual journey. We call this Milestones. Parent Child Dedication is the first step.

THE PARENTS’ COMMITMENT

Parent Child Dedication is your commitment to model, teach, and reinforce the Christian Faith. It Should not be confused with your child’s personal choice to follow Christ. We believe the Bible clearly teaches that each person must decide for themselves to trust in Jesus Christ as both Savior And Lord (Romans 10:9-10). The age a child is ready to make this personal decision will vary depending on the child.

IDEAS FOR MAKING DEDICATION A SPECIAL TIME INCLUDE…

1. Covenant Church hosts multiple Parent Child Dedications each year. Please register online at Covenantchurch.org or on the CovLive App.
2. Have a dinner or celebration time with family and friends before/after the dedication.
3. Invite family members and special family friends to write blessings to your child as a keepsake. Make sure that you write one too!
4. Record a video message for your child to view in the future. Speak words of affirmation,sharing how you are praying for their spiritual journey and how you desire to point them toward Christ. Preserve the video to show your child later. You can also write a letter if that works better for you.

PRAYING FOR MY CHILD

One of the most impactful investments we can make in our children’s faith formation is the habit of praying for them. Rather than repeating the same simple prayers asking for health, happiness, and safety, consider the ideas below to expand your prayer life and establish a meaningful routine of praying for your child.

PRAYERS FROM THEIR HEAD TO THEIR TOES

You can begin praying for your baby during feedings or while he or she falls asleep in your arms. One simple method is to pray “from head to toes” by touching the child gently on the head as you pray and gradually moving your hand all the way down to his or her toes as you pray.

• Head: “Give my child wisdom, discernment, and an understanding of Your Word.” (Proverbs2:6)
  
• Eyes: “Help my child see the truth and guard his/her eyes from impurity.” (Philippians 4:8)Ears: “Let him/her listen to the Lord and those in authority.” (Titus 3:1–2)
  
• Mouth: “Help my child speak with truth and honesty and use his/her words to praise the Lord.”(Ephesians 4:25)Shoulders: “Let my child cast his/her burdens on the Lord and give him/her friends who willhelp him/her stand strong.” (1 Peter 5:7)
  
• Hands: “Help my child learn to work as unto the Lord with a servant’s heart.” (Colossians 3:23)
  
• Heart: “Open my child’s heart to salvation, a love of scripture, and concern for other people.”(1 Timothy 2:1–4)
  
• Feet: “Inspire my child to follow the Lord all of his/her days.” (Deuteronomy 13:4)

PRAYING SCRIPTURE

Another method is to begin praying scripture over your child inserting his or her name. For example, pray Psalm 23 by saying “Lord, be [NAME’S] shepherd so [HE/SHE] shall not want.” Jesus modeled the incredible power of combating Satan by speaking scripture aloud in order to align our desires with God’s purposes.