The Purpose of Dedication
Reston Bible Church exists as a community of faith to know Jesus Christ, and to make Him known. One important way that we do this is by raising a generation of children that know Christ and make Him known. We believe that parents have the primary role in this mission (Deuteronomy 6:6-7), and that the church community should support and encourage them along the way. Child dedications are a means for parents to make this belief and commitment known publicly and to reinforce the partnership between parents and their church family. It is practice that has its roots in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 1:26-28) as well as the New (Luke 2:22), and it is after this pattern that Reston Bible Church practices child dedication.
As part of scheduling your child’s dedication, parents are required to watch a video that introduces foundational principles outlined for raising children. Following registration, parents will be contacted by the Pastor of Family Life to answer any questions and also to take the opportunity to get to know you a bit better, hear your story and your heart behind dedicating your child to the Lord, and begin to offer our ministry support to you as parents.
You can watch that video and download and the notes handout below.
Download the notes
The Commitment
During the dedication service, you will be displaying your intent by answering these questions:
- Do you commit before the Lord and His people to seeking after Him in your own personal walks of faith?
- Do you commit to making Christ known in your home through your example, through your words, your friendships, and through your marriage, in an environment of mercy and grace?
Following the charge, the congregation is asked to stand and join in a congregational prayer of support and blessing over you and your children.
Parenting Principles Introduction Course
As part of scheduling your child’s dedication, parents are required to watch a video class that introduces foundational principles outlined in the Bible for raising children. Following completion of this video, parents will contacted by the Pastor of Family Life to answer any questions and also to take the opportunity to get to know you a bit better, hear your story and your heart behind dedicating your child to the Lord, and begin to offer our ministry support to you as parents.
Register for Upcoming Dedication Dates
If you have questions about dedications, please email Diane Sheldon at dianesheldon@restonbible.org.