Baby Dedication

Baby dedication is a wonderful step for Christ-following parents seeking to create a Christ-centered home. Here at Grace Valley Church, we want to encourage parents to consider the arrival of a child as a key milestone of faith in the parenting journey.

It is recorded in Luke 2 that Jesus was presented in the temple not long after He was born. This step was made by His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph, in obedience to God’s command to His people to set apart and dedicate the firstborn son to God. As church history has progressed, a term has captured the nature of this baby dedication moment, "Christening." The word means, "to name." Just as every child receives a name to be called, they also receive a preferred destiny from their parents. Baby dedication, or Christening, is an opportunity to "name" or declare a preferred future for your child, prayerfully one that has a personal and saving relationship with Jesus at the center.

We believe it is important to make the following commitments at this milestone of baby dedication...

A declaration of Intent. This step declares the intent of parent(s) to set this child apart for the purposes of The Lord. This means the parent(s) are making a commitment to raise this child according to the instruction of God’s Word and guide their child toward a life of faith in Christ, obedience to God, and discovery of their God-given purpose. Will you set this child apart for the purposes of The Lord? "I/We will."
An expression of Hope. This step is an expression of hope in God’s saving work of Grace and Forgiveness in the life of this child--at some point in their future. This ceremony does not produce salvation but does serve as a prayer for God to grant salvation to this child as early as His mercy would allow. This ceremony marks a commitment for you to share the Good News of Jesus in your home as part of your child’s journey of faith. Will you share the Gospel in your home and earnestly pray for your child to receive Salvation, by grace through faith, in Jesus Christ as your child grows up? "I/We will."
An invitation to the Body. Each parent making this commitment is also inviting God’s Church, the body of Christ, to come alongside and serve as the supportive community to gain strength as parent(s) and encourage the spiritual development of this child. Will you invite this community of faith to encourage and support you in this great work of parenting? "I/We will."

"I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth." - 3 John 1:4

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6