The service of self-dedication by H.G Mathews Mar Barnabas

As the children grow up, they must be filled with gratitude towards God and they should repent of their sins. The parents, god-parents, Sunday School teachers, priests, and bishops have to do their part in this. When the children come for the service of self-dedication, they must be prepared to renew their baptismal promise, wholeheartedly.

They must be told that we have to thank God for all His blessings, for saving us from all kinds of sufferings and bringing good out of sufferings. Above all we have to thank our Lord for saving us from eternal hell and giving us eternal life.

Full of gratitude to God and sorrow for the sins, children must be helped to renounce Satan and all sins. Also they have to declare their faith in and allegiance to our Lord, whole-heartedly.

This service ending in the reception of the Holy Qurbana gives the children, the fullness of the Holy Spirit and our Lord's renewed indwelling. They strengthen the children to lead a dedicated life. This must result in a life of divine love, humility, obedience, and dutifulness. Divine love means not only self-sacrificing love for God, but also for His children. Love of God cannot be separated from the love of His children.