The scriptural root of child dedication is found in 1Samuel 1:27-28 where a Godly woman named Hannah prayed year after year to the Lord to give her a child. God answered her prayer and she gave birth to a son whom she named Samuel. After Samuel was born, Hannah prayed these words:

"For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition, which I asked of Him. So, I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord."

In Luke 2, found in the New Testament, after the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph took Him to the temple and dedicated Him.

In both Scripture verses, the parents were willing to entrust their child completely to God.

There are other verses in the Bible describing how a parent should raise up a child. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 reads:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

God puts people and places in your child’s path to help you spiritually lead him/her. One of your first steps in remembering that your child is a gift from God is a public dedication.