I had only been there about six months, when I began to notice something that caused me to make a change in how we did Parent & Child dedication.
Families would sign up online for the dedication, but the first face-to-face contact we had with them was the morning of the dedication.
Waiting with the parents for the dedication to begin, I listened to their conversations. It became apparent that many of them had no idea what the dedication was about. I realized we were missing a golden opportunity to not only share with the parents what the dedication was about, but to also use the dedication to equip parents to disciple their children.
And so I started a Parent & Child Dedication class. We begin requiring parents to go through the class before they dedicated their children. The class was held two weeks before the actual dedication.
We were very intentional with the dedication curriculum to share 3 big things with the parents...
1. What the dedication meant.
2. How to be the primary spiritual leader for their child and what that entailed.
3. We shared the Gospel and invited parents who didn't know Jesus to begin a relationship with Him.
The response was amazing. Parents begin to tell us what a difference the class had made in their lives. They felt equipped with the practical discipleship tools we shared with them. Many parents who didn't know Jesus, began a relationship with Him, because of the class.
If you do not currently host a class for parents before they dedicate their children, I want to encourage you to start it up. You see, when parents have a baby or preschooler, they will open their hearts and listen to what you are sharing with them. And you will find they are receptive to your teaching and instruction during this time.
One of the most important times to connect with parents is when they are ready to dedicate their child to the Lord. And if you can invest these parents, while their children are young, you can set them up for success as their child's spiritual leader.
I am excited to announce that the Parent & Child Dedication Class is now available for your ministry. If you are not hosting a class for parents before your dedications, now is the time to start. It is critical to have a clear strategy and plan to equip parents during this time. Or perhaps you currently have a class, but need a fresh, exciting curriculum for it.
This curriculum kit will jump start your child dedication and make it a memorable, life-changing experience for the parents in your ministry.
As an added bonus, you'll also get two sample child dedication services you can use at the dedication. Their are two options - one during a weekend service - and another one that can be done outside of a weekend service, in case you do your dedication as a separate event.
Here are more details...
Parent & Child Dedication includes...
- Teacher's guide (over 40 pages of teaching notes and insight)
- Media presentation files with teaching videos, graphics and music - ready to drop into any presentation software such as PowerPoint, Pro Presenter, Media Shout, Key Note, etc.
- Full color, ready-to-print handbook for parents.
- Ready-to-print resources for parents such as prayer calendars and prayer bookmarks.
- Class is fun, interactive and keeps parents engaged.
- Lots of great discussion starters and thought provoking insight.
- Includes teaching for single parents.
- A carefully planned format that will help you impact families and create a memorable experience that they'll cherish for the rest of their lives.
- Dedication certificate template - ready to add your names and print.
- Detailed notes and layout to help you pull off an excellent dedication celebration.
- Media presentation with teaching notes, graphics and music.
- Invitation card template - so families can invite their unchurched friends, neighbors, co-workers and family.
George Barna said, "In the race to a child's heart, the first one there wins." It is true. And that's why this Child Dedication resource is so important. It can be a catalyst for the children and families in your church and community.
Below are some samples from the class. Check them out for a preview.
Click here to see a sample of the Teacher's notes for the Class:
Click here to see a sample of the parent handbook:
Click here to see a sample of one of the interactive games that parents play:
Below are some sample videos from the class. Click the arrow to watch them full screen.
