Free Baby Dedication Planner

Pre-Service Checklist

Meet with parents before the service — discuss what dedication means and doesn't mean
Confirm the child's full name (check spelling carefully!)
Confirm names of parents / guardians and any godparents
Confirm who will be present (family, friends, congregation)
Prepare certificate of dedication and have it ready to present
Arrange photographer or confirm parents' plan for photos
Brief the congregation on their role (the communal response)
Confirm whether other children are being dedicated in the same service
Have a clean cloth or shawl available if you are holding the infant

What Dedication Is (Congregational Explanation)

Opening explanation (sample — adapt freely)

"Baby dedication is not baptism, and it is not a guarantee of the child's salvation. What it is, is a beautiful act of faith — parents standing before God and this community, saying: 'This child does not belong to us; they belong to You, Lord.' It is also a covenant with this church family to pray for, support, and model Christ before this little one as they grow."

Service Flow

#	Element	Est. Time
1	Invite family to the front	1 min
2	Brief explanation to congregation	2–3 min
3	Questions to the parents	2 min
4	Questions to the congregation	1 min
5	Take the child in arms	—
6	Prayer of dedication	2–3 min
7	Speaking a blessing over the child by name	1 min
8	Present certificate	1 min
9	Photograph moment	1–2 min
10	Family returns to seats	—

Questions & Responses

Questions to the Parents

"Do you bring _____ before God today, acknowledging that (he/she) is a gift and a trust from the Lord? Do you commit to raise (him/her) in the ways of God — to pray for (him/her), to model faith, and to bring (him/her) to the knowledge of Jesus Christ? If so, say: We do."

Question to the Congregation

"Do you as a church family commit to support _____ and (his/her) parents — to pray for this family, to be a community of faith in which this child can grow, and to model Christ before (him/her)? If so, say: We do."

Prayer of Dedication

"Heavenly Father, we present _____ to You today. You formed (him/her) and knew (him/her) before birth. We thank _____ and _____ for their faithfulness in bringing (him/her) before You. Lord, we ask for Your protection over this child's life — spirit, soul and body. May (he/she) know You from an early age, and may the plans You have for (him/her) be fulfilled. Surround (him/her) with Your love, and may this church family be a place where (his/her) faith grows strong. We bless _____ in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Scripture Selections

Psalm 127:3"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him."

Proverbs 22:6"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Matthew 19:13–15"Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."

Luke 2:22–24Jesus presented at the temple — a beautiful parallel for dedication.

1 Samuel 1:27–28Hannah's dedication of Samuel: "I prayed for this child... so now I give him to the Lord."

Psalm 139:13–14"You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Jeremiah 29:11"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you.'"

Deuteronomy 6:6–7"These commandments... Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home..."

Personal Notes

Tip: Ask the parents what prayer they most want spoken over their child's life. Weave their own words into the dedication prayer — this makes it deeply personal and the family will remember it forever.

Personal details & parents' prayer requests

What's included

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