← All studies

Study 17 of 18

Child Dedication, Weddings, Funerals, Anointing, and the Conclusion

Remaining special services and the elder's commission to lead

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

The remainder of chapter 8 treats the other special services the elder may conduct: child dedication (presenting children to God in the spirit of Jesus' welcome of children), weddings (where the elder may assist but only an ordained minister or authorized person performs the marriage itself), funerals (a ministry of comfort and hope centered on the resurrection), and anointing the sick (James 5:14-16, anointing with oil and prayer for healing in the name of the Lord). The handbook stresses that these services are sacred and that the elder leads them with dignity and preparation. The Conclusion turns to the elder's commission: knowing the mission (Matt. 24:14), catching the vision of a redemptive, spiritual, mission-oriented, united, and discipling church, and an installation prayer rooted in Ephesians 3 — that the elder be strengthened with power through the Spirit, rooted and established in love, and filled with the fullness of God.

Key points

  • Child dedication presents children to God in the spirit of Christ's welcome.
  • Weddings: the elder may assist, but marriage is performed by an ordained minister or authorized person.
  • Funerals are a ministry of comfort and resurrection hope.
  • Anointing the sick follows James 5:14-16 — oil, prayer, and the Lord's healing.
  • The elder's commission: know the mission, catch the vision, be installed in prayer.

Key texts

  • Mark 10:13-16
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
  • James 5:14-16
  • Matthew 24:14
  • Ephesians 3:14-21
  1. Comprehension

    1. What is the spirit and purpose of child dedication as described in the chapter?

  2. Comprehension

    2. What does the handbook say about the elder's role in weddings?

  3. Scripture

    3. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. How does this text shape the funeral ministry the elder conducts?

  4. Comprehension

    4. Describe the anointing service according to James 5:14-16 as the handbook presents it.

  5. Scripture

    5. Read Mark 10:13-16. How does Jesus' reception of children inform the elder's conduct of child dedication?

  6. Doctrinal Clarity

    6. Why does the handbook treat funerals as a ministry of hope rather than mere ceremony?

  7. Comprehension

    7. What is the 'mission' the Conclusion asks the elder to know?

  8. Scripture

    8. Read Ephesians 3:14-21. How does this prayer shape the elder's vision and commission?

  9. Contrast

    9. Contrast a funeral that proclaims resurrection hope with one that only eulogizes the deceased.

  10. Application

    10. How will you be ready, as an elder, when a family calls for anointing or a funeral on short notice?