You’ve seen it in church announcements or heard other families talk about it… but what exactly is Child Dedication? Is it like baptism? Is it a one-time thing? Is it for babies only?

If you’re wondering what it’s all about, you’re in the right place.

This is your no-stress guide to understanding what Child Dedication really means, and why it could be a powerful next step for your family.

So, What Is Child Dedication?

Child Dedication is a moment when parents make a public, faith-filled decision to raise their child to know and follow God. It’s about choosing to build your child’s life on a foundation of faith. And you want to know the good news? You can dedicate your child right from the start or just before they head off into adulthood! 

The main thing is this isn’t about the child accepting salvation or getting baptized. It’s not even something the child is deciding to do. This decision is from you as the parent.

You’re saying:

“We’re choosing to raise our child in church, teach them about God, and do our best to lead them in a way that points to Jesus.”

It’s a way of saying, “God, we recognize this child is a gift from You, and we trust You to help us raise them well.”

It’s not about checking off a list, or being perfect. This is a line-in-the-sand moment where you decide, “As for me and my house, we’re gonna follow Jesus. And we want our kids to grow up knowing Him too.”

 Wait—Is This Like Baptism or Christening?

Good question! And nope, it’s totally different.

While baptism is a personal decision someone makes when they’re old enough to understand what it means to follow Jesus, Child Dedication is all about your commitment as a parent.

Think of it like planting a flag early in the journey (before the toddler tantrums, before the teenage questions, before all the unknowns). You’re making a powerful declaration that says, “We’re inviting God into our parenting…and we’re asking our church to support us as we do.”

So no water. No white gown. No sprinkling. This is a powerful legacy-building moment. And you can take that step and register your child today.

A Real-Life Bible Example: Hannah and Samuel

Let’s take a quick trip to the Old Testament.

In 1 Samuel 1, we meet a woman named Hannah who longed for a child. She prayed her heart out to God, promising that if He blessed her with a son, she would dedicate him back to the Lord.

Spoiler alert: God came through!

She gave birth to a boy named Samuel, and when he was still a child, she brought him to the temple and said:

“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. So now I give him to the Lord.”
—1 Samuel 1:27–28

Talk about faith. Talk about surrender. Talk about next-level trust.

That’s the heart of Child Dedication.

What Happens at the Dedication?

Here’s what you can expect at a dedication ceremony:

• It usually takes place during a weekend service.
• Families get to be with their children.
• A pastor prays a blessing over each child and family.
• The church celebrates with you

It’s not long or overly formal, but it means more than you can imagine. You’ll probably snap a few pics, shed a few happy tears, and walk away feeling like you just took an unforgettable step in your parenting journey.

Why It Matters

Parenting can feel overwhelming. (Understatement of the year, right?) Between school drop-offs, bedtime routines, and trying to find one clean bottle, it can be easy to lose sight of the big picture.

But Child Dedication is a moment to refocus and say:

•  “God, we want You at the center of this family.”
•  “We’re not perfect, but we’re committed.”
•  “We’re not doing this alone. We’ve got a church family to help.”

This is your public, spiritual YES to intentional parenting with God in the lead.

You’re Not in This Alone

When you dedicate your child, you’re inviting your church family to walk with you.

That might look like:

• A small group praying for you
• Weekend kids team leaders helping teach your child about Jesus
• Other parents encouraging you through each season

Raising kids to love Jesus in today’s world takes a team effort. Child Dedication says, “We’re doing this together.”

Ready to Dedicate Your Child?

If your heart’s stirring a little bit right now, we’d love to help you take that next step.

Whether you’re brand new to church or you’ve been around for years, Child Dedication is for you.

Register here or stop by the Connection Center in the lobby of any campus to sign up.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need a heart that says yes to walking with God and raising your child to know Him.

You’ve got this! And we’re cheering for you every step of the way.

Free Resource: 10 Scriptures to Pray Over Your Children

To help you on your parenting journey, we’ve created a list of 10 powerful Bible verses you can pray over your children, whether they’re toddlers or teens!

Take a look here: 10 Scriptures to Pray Over Your Child 

You can print these out and stick to the fridge, tuck into your Bible, or screenshot them to keep in your phone. Use these verses as a simple way to speak life and faith over your kids every day.