Why Should I Dedicate My Kids? Mfano

What Will My Kids See When They Look Back on My Parenting?

There is a common misconception that child dedication is the same thing as baptism. But baptism is symbolic of being buried and resurrected with Christ and takes place after someone has made the decision to follow Jesus. Like salvation, the decision to be baptized comes from the individual—not the individual’s parents. Mary and Joseph took Jesus to be dedicated at the temple as a baby, but He was not baptized until much later in life. Jesus’ parents made the decision to raise Him in a faith-filled home, but He made the decision to be baptized on His own.

Mary and Joseph’s cultivation of a faith-filled home started long before Jesus was born. Mary made the decision to embrace the calling that God had placed on her life at great personal and social cost. Joseph also chose obedience to God rather than his own desires when it came to handling Mary’s pregnancy. And after Jesus was born, He had a front-row seat to the enormous faith of His parents as they trusted God, left their home and family, and escaped to Egypt.

Imagine Jesus facing off with the devil in the wilderness later in life or literally sweating blood in the Garden of Gethsemane. Yes, He’s the Son of God—a big advantage—but He was also human and had earthly parents who faced all kinds of trials and temptations! Before His own “moments of truth,” Jesus got to hear of His mother’s incredible courage. When everything in her culture said, “Try to get out of this calling. This is the worst thing that could ever happen to you,” Mary prayed, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” This prayer is remarkably similar to one that Jesus prayed in the darkest moments of His life.

And this is what we all long for. That in the toughest moments of their lives, our kids would be able to look back and draw strength and hope from the example of faith we set. That faced with impossible circumstances, they will trust the Father, just as they have hopefully witnessed us do many times before. 

So no, we as parents can’t make the decision to be baptized for our children, but we can model what new life in Christ looks like. A life marked by humility, trust, and dependence on our Father, God.

Prayer:

God, may my life be a constant example of Your love for my children. May my home be a place where Your Spirit dwells. Give me the necessary tools to raise my children in a Christian environment. I pray that my children will come to know You and take ownership of their faith. Thank You for the plan and purpose You have for my children. Give me the strength to be the best parent I can be today.