Jul. 13, 2025

Pastor Chad delivered a message for a child dedication, focusing on the biblical foundation for raising children in faith. Drawing from Deuteronomy 6:4–9 (the Shema), he emphasized that spiritual formation begins at home, not just at church. Parents are called to prioritize their own relationship with God and intentionally disciple their children by protecting them from worldly influences and grounding them in Scripture. May this message move us toward practical steps of obedience within our families and throughout our community.

Key Verses: Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Mark 12:29-30; Joshua 24:15

Reflection Questions

1. Pastor Chad said, 'You can't give something that you don't have.' How does your personal relationship with God affect your ability to disciple others, especially children?
2. The sermon emphasized that children are like mirrors, reflecting what they see in adults. What aspects of your faith do you hope others see reflected in your life?
3. How can we make conversations about God more natural and consistent in our daily lives rather than just a 'Sunday morning thing'?
4. Pastor Chad talked about the need to 'spirit-proof' our homes, not just childproof them. What practical steps can families take to create spiritual protection for children?
5. In what ways has technology created 'back doors' that allow negative influences into our homes and families? How can we address this challenge?
6. The pastor mentioned that 'the culture we live in will shape your beliefs.' How can we recognize when cultural values are contradicting biblical values?
7. How can the church community better support parents in their role as the primary spiritual influencers of their children?

Life Application

If you have children or influence young people, look for three natural opportunities to talk about God outside of church settings. 

Pay attention to the 'algorithms' influencing your home - examine what media, relationships, and activities are shaping your family's values, and make one change to better align these influences with biblical truth.

Key Takeaways

• Spiritual formation begins at home - parents must prioritize their own relationship with God before they can effectively disciple their children.
• Children are like mirrors, reflecting what they see in adults' lives, so our authentic faith matters more than our words.
• We must teach about God consistently throughout daily life, not just during designated church times.
• Today's culture actively competes for children's hearts and minds through technology, media, and education - parents must be intentional gatekeepers.
• The church community plays a supporting role in a child's spiritual development but cannot replace the primary influence of parents.