CHILD DEDICATION
Pastor Joel Bernardino – November 20, 2025
Today is a joyful and sacred moment.
A Child Dedication is not a ritual, not a tradition, not a way to save a child.
It is a public act of faith—where parents, secondary parents, family, and church stand together before God and say:
“Lord, this child belongs to You.
We need Your help, Your wisdom, and Your blessing.”
A Child Dedication means:
• Asking God’s help, provision, and protection for the child.
• Preparing the child’s heart for spiritual salvation.
• Giving thanks to God for His gift.
• Acknowledging that God is the true Owner, and parents are His caretakers.
• Committing to raise the child in God’s will and God’s good pleasure.
Because children are gifts from the Lord (Genesis 33:5; 48:9)…
And they are precious in His sight (Psalm 127:4–5).
WHY WE DEDICATE A CHILD TO THE LORD
1. WE FOLLOW BIBLICAL EXAMPLES
The Bible shows us families who presented their children to God:
• Hannah dedicated Samuel to the Lord.
• Mary and Joseph dedicated Jesus at the temple.
Parents, God has given you this precious gift—__________.
Along with this gift comes a great responsibility:
• To train your child in the ways of God.
• To be an example of Christian living at home and outside.
• To give your child love, time, guidance, and spiritual stability.
To the Secondary Parents:
You have also been chosen for a sacred role:
• Pray for ________.
• Teach ________ to love Jesus.
• Be a model of serving, obeying, and honoring God.
You are not just “present today”—you are committing to walk with this family for years to come.
2. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT APART FROM GOD WE CAN DO NOTHING
Child dedication is a humble confession:
“Lord, we cannot do this alone.”
Parents can provide:
• a home
• an education
• opportunities
• discipline
• even a good future
But none of these can replace the work of God in the heart of a child.
People may achieve riches and success, but all of it means nothing unless God directs their steps.
That is why we come to Him and say:
“God, take this child. Lead this child. Be the center of this child’s life.”
3. CHILDREN ARE MOST BLESSED WHEN THEY ARE IN THE ARMS OF GOD
Mark 10:16 says:
“Jesus took the children in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.”
Every parent wants the best for their child:
• the best opportunities
• the best education
• the best future
But the greatest gift we can ever give our child is bringing them to Jesus.
Because His blessing is better than anything we can offer.
Illustration
An old woman was seen picking up pieces of broken glass along a poor slum street.
The policeman, suspicious, confronted her and demanded to see what she was hiding.
When she opened her apron, it was filled with pieces of broken glass.
“I’m picking them up,” she said, “so the children won’t get hurt.”
What a picture of care and sacrifice.
In the same way, parents and secondary parents remove things that may hurt the child—
through prayer, teaching, godly example, and spiritual guidance.
But even our best efforts are limited…
Only Jesus can give the blessing that protects, guides, and shapes the heart of a child.
PRESENTATION TO THE LORD
Parents, by choosing to dedicate __________, you are publicly declaring:
“We want to raise our child in a Christ-honoring home.
We ask for God’s blessing, guidance, and strength in this holy responsibility.”
PARENTAL COMMITMENT
Parents, do you promise:
• To recognize __________ as a gift from God and thank Him for this blessing?
• To dedicate __________ to the Lord Jesus Christ alone?
• To raise __________ in a Christian home, seeking God’s wisdom, strength, and guidance?
• To provide every possible benefit—home, school, church, and spiritual nurture?
• To pray regularly for __________ and ask for God’s hand of protection and purpose?
• To seek God’s blessing so that __________ will grow guided, guarded, and directed by Him?
If so, please respond: “By God’s grace, we do.”
SECONDARY PARENTS’ COMMITMENT
Secondary Parents, do you promise:
• To stand as spiritual support for __________?
• To help in raising __________ for God’s glory?
• To remember __________ in your prayers?
• To teach __________to love Jesus?
• To be an example of faith, obedience, and service?
If so, respond: “By God’s grace, we do.”
If your heart is in these commitments, you have dedicated yourselves to helping raise a child God can use mightily.
LIGHTING OF CANDLES
As we worship, sponsors will now light their candles.
This symbolizes your commitment to light the path of __________ through your prayers, counsel, and example.
Worship Song: “Kalakip ng Awitin”
As the candles are lit, sponsors are encouraged to silently pray for the child.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
The minister will now lift up the child and pray a blessing over him/her, with the entire assembly joining in faith.
