Deuteronomy 4

Why Child Dedication?

Why Child Dedication?
Baptism Sunday 5/9/21
Key passage: Psalm 127

Child dedication is not a baptism

  • we practice believer’s baptism. (See last week)

Child dedication is not a guarantee 

  • not a guarantee of salvation

Why child dedication?

It reminds us of both the miracle and value of human life.

  • Genesis 2:7 - humanity was created by God Himself.

  • Genesis 1:26-28 - humanity was created in the image of God.

We’re recognizing and affirming that children are a gift from God

  • Psalm 127:3 - a special reward

  • Psalm 127:5 - a blessing

To acknowledge the challenge and responsibility of being a parent

  • Deuteronomy 4:9 - teach them and model for them.

  • Ephesians 6:4 - train and instruct

  • Deuteronomy 6:5 - a personal practice that you pass down.

Child dedication places children in the context of a larger family… God’s!

  • The church has a responsibility (you, all of us)

  • Philippians 2:3-4 - we are a family

  • Romans 12:10 - be devoted to one another in brotherly love.

It’s an opportunity for parents to surrender their child to God’s will and mission.

  • what is it that you want most for your daughter or son?

  • 1 Samuel 1 - Hannah and Samuel

Memorials

Memorials

“Therefore these stones will always be  a memorial for the Israelites.” Joshua 4:7 CSB

zakar: to pierce, to impress (on the memory), to remember or be remembered, to recollect, to commemorate.

zikrown: a memorial, reminder or remembrance. It is an object reminder or token act by which something is brought to mind. 

Why do we need them?

  • We’re prone to forget

    • Deuteronomy 4:9

    • Deuteronomy 6:12

    • Joshua 4:6-7

    • Judges 2:10

What are their features?

  • They’re a Statement

    • Joshua 4:24

  • They’re Enduring

    • Joshua 4:7

  • They’re Distinctive

    • Joshua 4:8

Communion as a memorial