At Christian City Fellowship, we realize parenting can be one of the most rewarding and adventurous times in life as well as one of the most overwhelming times. With all the changes and busyness going on in your home, we invite you to take some time to focus on what matters most. We believe that as parents, you will have the greatest impact on your child and what happens at home is so important. It is our desire to partner with you as we encourage and equip you to be godly parents through this journey as you seek to raise your child to one day know, love, and serve Jesus Christ. Child dedication is a commitment to raise your child in a Gospel centered home, while taking the lead role in your child’s discipleship. This dedication is not a statement of salvation for your child, but rather a statement of how you will raise your child. While not a command of Scripture, child dedication can be a beautiful symbol - similar to a wedding band. It should be done with a community of believers who know you personally and can commit to walking with you in this commitment. This is why we, at Christian City Fellowship participate with you. As you acknowledge your responsibility to raise your child(ren) in a Gospel centered home taking an active role in your child's discipleship, we as your church family, are making a similar commitment to you, the parent(s), to come along side of you and help you in this discipleship journey. The responsibilities the Lord has entrusted to parents include continuously praying for their children (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), instructing them in the way of the Lord, setting a godly example, and disciplining them as the Lord would discipline us (Proverbs 29:15, 17; 13:24). As parents, you are only able to do these things through Christ’s strength (Philippians 4:13). The word dedication means "to consecrate" or the act of setting apart people or things to serve God. In the Old Testament, we see how Hannah prayed for a child and promised God that the child, Samuel, would be given to the Lord all the days of his life (1 Samuel 1:11, 28). In the New Testament, we see how Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord (Luke 2:22). These parents took this act very seriously and were making a commitment in presenting their children to the Lord. Bringing a child before the Lord is not a secret formula for keeping them from ever experiencing harm or pain. Rather, it is a commitment that the parents make to do their part in raising their child before the Lord. Just as Moses called for wholehearted commitment, we as a church are calling you the parent(s) to a wholehearted commitment to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
Through child dedication,

• Parents are acknowledging their child as a gift from God. Psalm 127:3-5
• Parents are publicly declaring their intention to be the chief disciple in their child's life. They will be diligent in passing their faith onto their child(ren) and raise them in such a way that they are given an opportunity to know God and to establish a personal relationship with Christ. Deuteronomy 6:49, Ephesians 6:4
• Parents are affirming their total dependence upon the Lord. John 15:5
• Parents are asking family, friends, and the church community to prayerfully support and hold them accountable to these commitments.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. DEUTERONOMY 6:5-9 HCSB

“Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you don’t forget the things your eyes have seen and so that they don’t slip from your mind as long as you live. Teach them to your children and your grandchildren. The day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, the Lord said to me, ‘Assemble the people before Me, and I will let them hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth and may instruct their children.’ DEUTERONOMY 4:9-10 HCSB

One generation will declare Your works to the next and will proclaim Your mighty acts. I will speak of Your splendor and glorious majesty and Your wonderful works. They will proclaim the power of Your awe-inspiring acts, and I will declare Your greatness. They will give a testimony of Your great goodness and will joyfully sing of Your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithful love. The Lord is good to everyone; His compassion rests on all He has made. All You have made will thank You, Lord; the godly will praise You. PSALM 145:4-10 HCSB

My son, keep your father’s command, and don’t reject your mother’s teaching. Always bind them to your heart; tie them around your neck. When you walk here and there, they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you wake up, they will talk to you. For a command is a lamp, teaching is a light, and corrective discipline is the way to life. PROVERBS 6:20-23 HCSB

Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. EPHESIANS 6:4 HCSB

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 2 CORINTHIANS 5:20 HCSB