UNBORN CHILD AND INFANT DEDICATION
The dedication and blessing of the unborn child or newborn infant is one of the areas where the assembly leaders can be of great service to their flock. Many assemblies do not teach the dedication of children. It is important for it forms a hedge of protection around those who are in great need of protection. This service should give the leaders and parents a great sense of satisfaction and pleasure.
An infant dedication has eternal spiritual implications on the life of the child. It is best if both parents are believers, to carry out the spiritual instructions of raising a child. But if only one parent is a believer a dedication and blessing can take place, if the unbelieving parent has given permission for the service.
The elders should discuss the dedication and blessing of a child with the parents and work out a procedure with them. The following example is only a suggestion. The elder could add such comments as he feels necessary.
PURPOSE
1. Children are a gift from God.
Dedication of a child before birth or shortly after birth is an acknowledgment of God's ownership. It is the commitment by the parents to raise their child in the fear of God and to become mighty in the Spirit. Training should start before the child is born.
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
"You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4.
2. Children of believing parents are set apart as holy.
"For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now are they holy." 1 Corinthians 7:14.
3. Jesus blessed the children and so should we.
"He took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands on them." Mark 10:16
PROCEDURE:
1. Opening Scriptures:
"Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won't be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:3-5
"Before I formed you in the belly I knew you, and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah1:5.
"...Yahweh has called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother has he made mention of my name:" Isaiah 49:1.
"For you formed my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well. My frame wasn't hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them." Psalm 139:13-16.
2. Declaration of Intent:
To parents: "Do you acknowledge that this child is a gift from God entrusted to your care?"
Parents: "We do."
To parents: "Do you pledge, before God and this Assembly, to provide a home where Christian love, training, and care will be provided?"
Parents: "We do."
To parents: "Do you covenant to provide what you have learned of the ways of God by praying together for this child's well-being, by attending the assembly services and by living a godly life as an example to this child so that he /she will grow to become like Christ."
Parents "We do, with God's help."
To Assembly: "Do you, as members of the Body of Christ and this local assembly, solemnly promise to help _______________ and _______________________ in the raising of this child, to encourage them in their responsibilities, to provide an atmosphere of love and concern for them and their child, and to pray diligently for the well-being of this family? "
Members: "With God's help, we so promise."
3. Prayer of Dedication By the Parents: (Example)
"Lord, we bring _____________________ [name of child] to You. We both sincerely dedicate this precious life to You. You have given this child to us. Now we give ______________ back to You. Lord, write such assignments on Your scroll for his/her life so that he/she may grow to know You and to love You. Give us wisdom to guide him/her in all Your ways, and to bring him/her up in the fear and nurture of the Lord. May he/she glorify Your Name all the days of his/her life, and he/she will come to know You as his/her personal Savior. We pray to You in the Name of Jesus. Amen."
4. Prayer of Blessing By the Leader: (Example)
"Our heavenly Father, we are grateful for the gift of _______________ [name of child]. In the Name of Christ we claim ______________ for your kingdom. We come against all the curses that have rested upon _______________ because of the iniquities of the forefathers and render them powerless. We break the curses over _______________ in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We claim the protection of the Blood of the Lamb over _______________. Lord, put a hedge of protection around __________________ . Rebuke Satan whenever he attempts harm to this child.
Lord grant wisdom to ________________ [parents] to be examples of godliness to __________, training this child to be mighty in Spirit."
[Child's name]"______________, may you become a fruitful vine, bearing much fruit for the glory of the Father. May you grow in the grace of the Lord, and may the Holy Spirit be always your guide to keep you from falling. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord turn His face to you and give you peace. And at the end of your days, may the Lord present you before the Father in His glorious presence without fault and with great joy. Our heavenly Father, bless this child, the parents, and the members of this household, in the precious name of Jesus. Amen."
In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the midst of them, and said, "Most assuredly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of occasions of stumbling! For it
must be that the occasions come, but woe to that person through whom the occasion comes!" Matthew 18:1-7 WEB
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