One of the ways you can make a big impact in the lives of parents and their children is to offer a Parent and Child Dedication class.
Here are some of the benefits that come with hosting a class.
You can help young parents see that they are the biggest influence in their child’s life. Most Christian parents don’t think about this. They feel a sense of duty to raise their child in church, but don’t fully grasp just how big their role is.
At each Parent and Dedication class, I remind the parents of this one simple, but powerful truth.
No one has more influence in a child’s life than his or her parents.
You can help parents see that the dedication is just as much about them as it is their children. That’s why it’s important to call it PARENT and Child Dedication class.
You can give parents a blueprint for discipling their children. Deuteronomy 6 shares 4 ways you can disciple your children in the course of an ordinary day.
> Morning time
> Home time (when you are at home just hanging out)
> Drive time
> Bedtime
You can help parents see what the dedication is not. It is not part of their salvation. It is not baptism. It is not a ritual or show.
You can help parents see what the dedication is. It is a time to dedicate their children to Jesus. It is a time to pray a blessing over their children. It is a time of asking the congregation to support the parents in the discipleship of their child by praying for them, serving in key roles in children’s ministry and encouraging them along the way.
It is a time to share the Gospel with parents and their extended family and friends. Parent and child dedication is a great opportunity to share the Gospel with parents and family, friends, co-workers, etc. that are invited to attend the dedication.
It helps parents see what matters most. Parents with young children are still forming their child’s schedule, activities, events, etc. Parent and Child dedication is a great time to help parents see what matters most.
It is a great time to help parents see the importance of attending church faithfully. There are many options that tug for families’ time and resources. One of the biggest pulls is sports. Sports are a good thing, but not when it causes families to miss church for weeks on end. It is crucial that you help young families see that attending church should be their top priority on weekends.
It’s a great time to connect with families in your church. When families go through the class with you, it creates a bond with them. This will pay off now and in the years ahead. Have everything set up a head of time so you can spend time talking with the parents before and after the dedication.
It’s a great time to go over the logistics of the dedication if it is held during a church service or in another venue. Where they should sit. When they should come up front. Where they should stand. What will happen during the dedication.
It’s a great time to give families a gift to remember the day by. Some ideas are a Bible. A devotion book. A parenting book. A framed portrait.
This past weekend, I had the privilege of teaching this class at my home church. This Sunday we will have the honor of dedicating the children and their parents to Jesus. Can’t wait. It’s going to be awesome.
