CHILD DEDICATION

Raising His Children for His Glory

New life is one of the sweetest gifts God gives, and at Good Life Church, we celebrate it together.

Child dedication is the moment you, as parents, publicly entrust your child back to the God who gave them, and promise to raise them in the light of the gospel, and pray they come to know and follow Jesus. It's not something you do alone. Your church family stands with you that day, and every day after.

Child Dedication IS...

A RECOGNITION OF GOD'S GIFT.
Your child is a gift from God, entrusted to you. Dedication is you saying that out loud: you are giving your child to God, and yourselves to the task of raising them in a home that points them to His love, grace, and mercy.
GROUNDED IN SCRIPTURE.
Hannah brought Samuel before the Lord and said:
"For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the LORD. As long as he lives, he is lent to the LORD." (1 Samuel 1:27-28, ESV)
Mary and Joseph did the same with Jesus, presenting him to the Lord in the temple (Luke 2:22).
A PROMISE TO RAISE YOUR CHILD FOR GOD'S GLORY.
To provide for your child, looking to God for the wisdom to raise them for His glory and not to satisfy your own ambitions.
A COMMITMENT BEFORE & WITH YOUR CHURCH FAMILY.
The dedication of your child to the Lord is not only witnessed by your Church Family — they promise to pray for you and help you point your child to Jesus.

Child Dedication IS NOT...

SALVATION.
Dedication doesn't save your child. Salvation is God's gift, received by faith, not something a ceremony confers or parents decide.
BAPTISM.
We don't baptize infants at Good Life Church because Scripture ties baptism to personal faith in Christ, a step your child will take when they can believe and confess that for themselves (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:1-4).
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP.
Dedicating your child doesn't make them a member of Good Life Church, and it isn't a step toward membership. It's your vow, not an enrollment.
A GUARANTEE.
Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." This proverb describes the most wise and reliable thing a parent can do, but it is not a promise God is bound to keep in every case. Dedication is your commitment to training, not a guarantee of your child's outcome.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Why should we dedicate our children to the Lord?

Because children are a gift from God, and dedication is your family saying thank you out loud. Because you were never meant to parent alone. Dedication asks the church to carry this task with you, not just wish you well. Because parenting is a calling, not a mood. Dedication marks the day you commit to it, so you have a day to return to when it gets hard. And because Scripture gives parents a job, not a suggestion:

"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deuteronomy 6:7, ESV)

We pray that the grace of God will be clearly seen and consistently passed down in your family, starting the day you make this commitment.

Do I need to be a member of Good Life Church?

No, but we do ask that Good Life Church is the church you call home. This is for families who have been regularly present with us, not a one-time stop. At least one parent should be a follower of Christ, and your family should have been part of our church family for the last couple of months before your dedication date.

What happens in the service?

Dedications happen during a Sunday service, as often as needed.
A pastor or elder will ask you to affirm your commitment to raise your child in the Lord and pray over your child and your family, asking for God's grace in the years ahead.
The congregation will affirm its own commitment to support you.

What age should my child be?

Whatever age they are now. We encourage families to take this step while their children are young, but there is no cutoff, and it is never too late. Bring your child at whatever stage you're in.

I'm a single parent. Can I dedicate my child?

Yes. This vow is about your commitment to raise your child in the light of the gospel, and pray they come to know Jesus. Single parents are warmly welcomed, and we want to talk with you about the support available to you.

Who can be on stage with us?

Just parents, child, and any of your other children. This is a moment for your immediate family, standing before the church family.

What if my spouse isn't a believer?

Good Life Church requires that at least one parent be a follower of Christ, so this doesn't stop you. But this is worth talking through with a pastor beforehand. Dedication is a public vow, and we want your spouse to be at peace with what's being said, even if they're not the one saying it.

I want to dedicate my child. What are the NEXT STEPS?

CHILD DEDICATION FORM

Read this page and talk it over as a family. Pray that the Lord will stir your heart and mind to understand and embrace this important commitment.
Complete the Child Dedication Form. This will include submitting parent names, your child's full name, birthdate, your favorite family photo, and a few favorite child photos.
A Pastor or Elder will follow-up to discuss details and possible dates for dedication. We will do our best to accommodate your preferred dates, though the church calendar and other service elements take priority.

If you have questions before signing up, reach out to us at info@goodlifefl.com. We would love to talk with you.