Child Dedication Class
There will be a short class (about 30 minutes long) for the parents who are dedicating their kiddos that will be held immediately following the service on the Sunday prior to the dedication.
The heart behind the class is to make sure the parents are informed as to what Child Dedication actually is (as opposed to infant baptism), as well as to help equip them to fulfill their part as godly parents.
Please note: Attendance to this class is required. Childcare will be provided if needed!
What is Child Dedication?
Rather than infant baptism, we give the responsibility of the child's dedication to the parents. Proverbs 22:6 tells us that we are supposed to train up our children in the way they should go. Ephesians 6:4 speaks directly to fathers to raise their children up in the things of the Lord. When you dedicate your child to the Lord, you're publicly declaring that you will do your best to raise your child to know Jesus. We believe that the local Church can and should help, but ultimately it's the parents' job to do so.
Child Dedication, or Infant Baptism?
At Living Word, we believe that the act of baptism is something that is performed when the one being baptized has made a conscious decision to do so. Acts 2:38 instructs that we must first repent and then be baptized. Mark 16:16 says that you must believe before you're baptized. Since babies and small children do not yet have the ability to repent or believe, this is where dedication comes in. Hannah dedicated her son, Samuel, to the Lord after he was born and Joseph & Mary dedicated Jesus as well (1 Samuel 1 & Luke 2:22).
