Dedication Day: Surrendering Our Children to God

Devotional

Day 1: Surrendering Our Children to God

Description: Surrendering our children to God is a profound act of faith, much like Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac. This act signifies our trust in God's plan for their lives and acknowledges that our children are ultimately His. By surrendering them, we are declaring that we believe God's ways are higher than ours and that He knows what is best for them. This surrender is not a one-time event but a daily commitment to entrust our children to God's care and guidance. [48:20]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: What is one specific area of your child's life that you find difficult to surrender to God? How can you begin to trust God with this area today?

Day 2: Loving God Above All

Description: Loving God above all, including our children, sets a powerful example for them. When we prioritize God's will and teachings in our parenting, we create a strong spiritual foundation for our children. This means that our love for God should be evident in our actions, decisions, and the way we raise our children. By loving God more than anything else, we show our children the importance of a relationship with Him and guide them towards a life of faith and obedience. [54:10]

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 (ESV): "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 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."

Reflection: How can you demonstrate your love for God in a way that your children can see and understand today?

Day 3: Commitment to Godly Parenting

Description: Raising children in a godly manner requires a deep commitment to living according to God's principles. This involves being right with God ourselves, teaching our children about salvation, and ensuring that our homes are places of righteousness and holiness. Godly parenting is not just about following rules but about cultivating a relationship with God that our children can witness and learn from. It requires daily obedience, reliance on God's strength, and a dedication to instilling His values in our children's lives. [01:04:36]

Ephesians 6:4 (ESV): "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to ensure your home reflects God's righteousness and holiness?

Day 4: Facing Challenges with Faith

Description: Parenting comes with many challenges, but we must face them with faith, knowing that God has a plan for us and our children. Even in difficult times, we can trust that God's thoughts towards us are of peace and hope, and He will guide us through every trial. This faith is not just for our benefit but also serves as a model for our children, showing them how to rely on God in times of trouble. By facing challenges with faith, we demonstrate the power of God's grace and His ability to overcome any obstacle. [01:11:09]

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Reflection: What is one current challenge you are facing in your parenting? How can you actively trust God to guide you through this challenge today?

Day 5: Creating a Godly Environment

Description: It is crucial to surround our children with people who love God and to create an environment where God's presence is felt. This means being involved in church, ensuring our children participate in spiritual activities, and making our homes places where God's name is lifted high. A godly environment nurtures our children's faith and helps them grow spiritually. It provides them with a community of believers who can support and guide them in their walk with God. [01:00:04]

Psalm 133:1 (ESV): "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!"

Reflection: What is one specific change you can make in your home or routine to create a more godly environment for your children?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to celebrate Children Dedication Day, a significant moment where families publicly declare their commitment to raising their children in the ways of the Lord. This dedication is not just a ceremony but a profound declaration that we are entrusting our children to God, acknowledging that they are His gifts to us. We reflected on the story of Abraham and Isaac, emphasizing the importance of surrendering our children to God, just as Abraham did. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac demonstrated his ultimate trust in God and his understanding that Isaac belonged to God first and foremost.

We also discussed the critical role of parents in nurturing their children’s spiritual growth. This involves loving God more than anything else, including our children, and ensuring that our love for God sets the foundation for how we raise them. By doing so, we are not only showing our children the way to live but also securing God's blessings and guidance in their lives. The dedication of children is a reminder that our primary responsibility is to lead them to God, teaching them to live according to His will.

Moreover, we touched on the challenges parents face today, especially with the increasing attacks on the identity and values of our children. The enemy seeks to devour, but God’s grace abounds even more. We must be vigilant and steadfast in our faith, ensuring that our homes are places where God is honored and His principles are upheld. This dedication is a commitment to raise our children in a godly manner, understanding that it requires daily obedience and reliance on God’s strength and wisdom.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Surrendering Our Children to God: Just as Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac, we must be willing to surrender our children to God, recognizing that they belong to Him. This act of surrender is a profound declaration of trust in God's plan for their lives and an acknowledgment that His ways are higher than ours. [48:20]
2. Loving God Above All: Our love for God must surpass our love for our children. This means prioritizing God's will and teachings in our parenting. When we love God more than anything else, we set a powerful example for our children and ensure that they grow up with a strong spiritual foundation. [54:10]
3. Commitment to Godly Parenting: Raising children in a godly manner requires a deep commitment to living according to God's principles. This involves being right with God ourselves, teaching our children about salvation, and ensuring that our homes are places of righteousness and holiness. [64:36]
4. Facing Challenges with Faith: Parenting comes with many challenges, but we must face them with faith, knowing that God has a plan for us and our children. Even in difficult times, we can trust that God's thoughts towards us are of peace and hope, and He will guide us through every trial. [71:09]
5. Creating a Godly Environment: It is crucial to surround our children with people who love God and to create an environment where God's presence is felt. This means being involved in church, ensuring our children participate in spiritual activities, and making our homes places where God's name is lifted high. [01:00:04]
### [60:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[31:36] - Opening Prayer
[32:20] - God's Work in Us
[32:52] - Children Dedication Introduction
[33:20] - Celebrating Families
[34:00] - Importance of Family
[34:31] - Jeremiah 29:11
[35:03] - God's Provision for Parents
[35:27] - Blessing the Children
[36:38] - Congregational Prayer
[37:08] - Releasing Blessings
[38:01] - God's Love for Children
[39:21] - Distributing Gifts
[41:28] - Remembering God's Promises
[46:07] - Addressing Modern Challenges
[47:13] - Abraham and Isaac
[48:20] - Surrendering to God
[50:45] - Importance of Dedication
[54:10] - Loving God More
[60:04] - Creating a Godly Environment
[64:36] - Commitment to Godly Parenting
[71:09] - Facing Challenges with Faith
[78:42] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was Abraham's response when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac? How did this demonstrate his trust in God? ([48:20])
According to the sermon, what is the significance of parents loving God more than their children? ([54:10])
What challenges did the pastor mention that parents face today in raising their children? ([46:35])
How does the pastor describe the role of the church community in supporting families and children? ([36:18])

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important for parents to surrender their children to God, as Abraham did with Isaac? How does this act of surrender impact the child's future? ([48:20])
How can loving God more than our children influence the way we parent? What are some practical ways this can be demonstrated in daily life? ([54:10])
What does it mean to create a godly environment for our children, and why is this crucial in today's world? ([01:00:04])
How can parents face the challenges of modern parenting with faith, according to the sermon? What role does the church play in this? ([46:35])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you had to surrender something important to God. How did that experience shape your faith and trust in Him? How can you apply this to surrendering your children to God? ([48:20])
In what ways can you prioritize your love for God above all else, including your children? Identify one specific change you can make in your daily routine to reflect this priority. ([54:10])
What are some practical steps you can take to create a godly environment in your home? Consider areas such as family devotions, church involvement, and the media your family consumes. ([01:00:04])
Discuss a challenge you are currently facing in parenting. How can you approach this challenge with faith, relying on God's strength and wisdom? ([46:35])
How can the church community support you in your commitment to godly parenting? Identify one way you can engage more with your church to receive this support. ([36:18])
Think about the influences surrounding your children. What changes can you make to ensure they are surrounded by people and environments that honor God? ([01:00:04])
Reflect on the pastor's message about the importance of obedience in parenting. What is one area of your life where you need to be more obedient to God's principles? How will you take steps to improve in this area? ([52:49])

Sermon Clips

1. "And we have faith today, God, that our God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we're able to ask or think according to His power, which is at work on the inside of us. And, God, we thank You that You're working on the inside of us, that, God, You're working inside of Your church, You're working inside of parents, Lord, God, and grandparents, Lord, God, You're working inside of preachers, Lord, and teachers, God, that, God, You're working in us and You're going to cause our work to succeed." [32:20] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "But it doesn't take a village to raise children, but it does take a mom, it does take a dad, it does take the family that God has given us to bless you with. And we put God first. And that's what you guys are saying here today, is that we're putting God first. And I'm going to teach a little bit today in just a minute. So, I'm not going to be up here long. But I do just want to just remind you that what we're doing here today is a declaration." [34:00] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You're just declaring that every promise that God has, every blessing that God has for you, you're grabbing hold of it today. You're grabbing hold of it. And God does say in Jeremiah 29, 11, He says, I know the plans that I have for these kids and they are a peace and not an evil for a future and a hope. And that's just what we're releasing on them today. And that's why you're up here. God's given every mother up here everything you need because remember, He gave you these children." [34:31] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The best thing that Abraham ever did for Isaac was to tie him to that altar and surrender him to God. Let me tell the parents that was up here today, the best thing you'll ever do for that child. And I have no problem with dance class, I have no problem with baseball games, I have no problem with horseback riding, whatever, all my grandkids and kids involved, all that kind of stuff. And let me tell you something, nothing supersedes that what they did here today and what you do today. And that is surrendering your children to God and laying them on the altar." [50:15] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Whenever you love your children more than God, you allow your children to take the place of God. You let them listen to what they, whatever they want to listen to. You'll let them watch where we want to watch. You'll let them go wherever they want to go. You want him to hang out with whoever they want to hang out with. You'll let them be whoever they want to be because you love your children more than your God and your children is taking the place of God." [55:15] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Whenever you show God that you love him more than you love your children, then God is going to love you back. This is tough. But I'm just, I got, I got to do Bible. And this thing is not, he's not leaving us high and dry. If you love God more than you love your children, God's going to love you back. And he knows outside of him, you don't love nothing, nobody, anything more than you love your children. And God realized that. And God says, you know what? I'm going to love you back." [56:53] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "The whole problem with America, the whole problem with everything that's going on. In the educational system, the governmental system and everything that's going on in the world today is that people just simply don't love God. And they sure don't love God more than they love their children. And so they let them do anything. They let them wear anything. They let them be anything. They let them just identify with anything because they don't love God. Let me tell you, you want to fix it? Get the love of God back in America again." [59:26] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "75% of the time that you spend with your children are gone by the time they turn the age of 12. 75%. That means out of all their time at 12, you might have, if you want to bless them, 25% of their time. By the time they turn 18, 90% of the time that you spend with them is gone. That child is over. Now you've got a 10% block. Come on, we know it's true. It happens quick. Slow down. Be present. And enjoy these short, sweet years. We better get serious because God is getting serious." [01:17:42] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Five minutes of obedience will abolish 50 years of disobedience. Don't let the element of time rob you of the blessing of God. But I messed up. I've been doing this. Three marriages, abortions, and children over here and all that. Didn't take them to church. Didn't do this, didn't do that. That's from the devil. Sure, it happened. Put it under blood. What does it put under blood? I'm not going to throw some religious rhetoric at you this morning. What does put it under blood mean? It means that everything that Jesus did on that cross, he suffered and died. And he don't cover it. He washes it away." [01:20:24] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Agree with your adversary quickly. What does that even mean? It means when he comes up and says, oh, you were a bad parent. You were a bad wife. You were a bad husband. You were just a bad person. Oh, no, I won't. I didn't do it. Me and Jed didn't do all that stuff. Why is he in my mind right now? Agree with him. You know what I did? But guess what? I'm a new person now. The old Sherwood is dead. And the new one is living to God and living for God. And that's the last conversation you're having with him. Go your merry way. You and the devil are not on speaking terms." [01:21:53] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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