YOU GIVE THE CHILD TO GOD FOR HIS PURPOSES.  (1 Samuel 1:9 NIV)  "Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord's temple." (1 Samuel 1:11 NIV)  "And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."" (1 Samuel 1:17 NIV)  "Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him."" (1 Samuel 1:19-20 NIV)  "Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah lay with Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. {20} So in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him."" (1 Samuel 1:24-28 NIV)  "After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. {25} When they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli, {26} and she said to him, "As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. {27} I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. {28} So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there."

YOU ARE FOLLOWING JESUS' EXAMPLE AS HE WAS TAKEN TO THE TEMPLE AS A BABY TO BE DEDICATED.  (Luke 2:22 NIV)  "When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord"  (Luke 2:25-40 NIV)  "Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. {26} It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. {27} Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, {28} Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: {29} "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. {30} For my eyes have seen your salvation, {31} which you have prepared in the sight of all people, {32} a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." {33} The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. {34} Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, {35} so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." {36} There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, {37} and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. {38} Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. {39} When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. {40} And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him."

WHAT PART DOES GOD PLAY AND WHAT PART DOES THE PARENT PLAY?

GOD'S HEART IS FOR THE CHILD.  (Psalms 103:17-18 NIV)  "But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-- {18} with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts."  (Matthew 18:14 NIV)  "In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost."

THE PART OF THE PARENT.  (Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NIV)  "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. {7} 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."  (Proverbs 22:6 NIV)  "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."

If you would like to have your child dedicated to God by Pastors Greg and Becky Johnson at an upcoming service at Loving God Fellowship, please click to contact us.