As parents, we often view our child’s salvation as a list of steps we need to achieve. Once they pray a prayer of salvation, we hand them a Bible, get them baptized, and make sure they are plugged into the local church. We each have a mental checklist of steps we do to push or prod our kids to follow Jesus.
How do we know when the time is right for a child to be baptized? I think the best place to start is by asking, “What did Jesus say?”
- “He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned.“—Mark 16:16
Where Do We Start Teaching About Baptism?
Our starting point for teaching about baptism is the word BELIEVE. The first question to answer in the kid baptism quest is “Does my child believe in Jesus as their Savior?” Does their apparent faith in Jesus truly belong to them, or are they claiming faith in Jesus only because they think this will please you? As a parent, this is a great time to ask questions, not to tell them what to think or what to believe.
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward relationship. Before pursuing baptism for your child, the most important thing you can do is make sure that their faith in Jesus stems from a genuine, personal relationship.
4 Questions to Ask Your Children About Believing in Jesus
As you are teaching your child about baptism, be sure to ask, listen, and then ask follow-up questions. If you need a place to start, you can start with these 4 questions:
- Who do you think Jesus is?
- Why do you think this way?
- Do you know why God sent Jesus to die for our sins?
- What does it mean to believe in Jesus?
Fight the urge to answer for them or to tell them what you think are the right answers. Don’t teach here, just listen to them. Kids are used to being told what to think, and it’s not as common for us as adults to listen to them to validate their thoughts or to help them process. Don’t get me wrong, it’s awesome to answer their questions, but we must fight the urge to tell them what to think.
You can lead and direct your children toward Christ, but it is Christ alone who will win their hearts. When our kids begin to have a real belief in Jesus, it will become evident. This evidence is best described by Jesus to Peter in Matthew 16.
- “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.’”—Matthew 16:15-17
Remember that walking with Jesus isn’t a race. The first step after salvation is baptism—for everyone, including your child. However, it is better to be sure that your child is ready. Not every child is ready at the same age or stage, and that’s okay! Teaching them about baptism, asking them questions, and listening to them will help you be sure they fully understand before taking this next step.
3 Questions to Ask Your Children About Baptism
When you start to see belief in your child, it’s time to ask them questions about baptism.
- What does it mean to believe in Jesus?
- Why do people get baptized?
- Why do you want to get baptized?
Ask the questions, and then really listen to their answers. As you teach your children about baptism, the goal is for them to understand that the reason why we do this is because Jesus told us to. We get the opportunity to show other people what Jesus has done for us just like the church has been doing for over 2000 years.
Here are a few verses you can read with your children to teach them about baptism:
- “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”—Matthew 3:16-17
- “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.’”—Mark 16:15-16
- “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’”—Acts 2:38-39
These verses will help you teach your children that baptism is an act of obedience to God that communicates our surrender to His will for our lives.
Bonus Question: Who Do You Want to Baptize You?
After you are certain that your child is ready to be baptized, you may ask them who they would want to baptize them. They may prefer their father, mother, or grandparent to be the one to “do the dunking.” This special moment is one that you and your child will look back on for years to come as a milestone in their faith and relationship with Christ. What better way to commemorate their personal faith than to be baptized by the person who led them to the Lord!
What’s more, you can involve your children in the list of people you want to invite to their baptism—friends, family members, and neighbors. Tell your child that their public profession of baptism is an inspiration to other believers and an example of faith to those who don’t know God.
- “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”—Matthew 28:18-20
Takeaway: Be Patient, Pray, and Listen
Pray with your kids, pray for your kids, and then talk to them and listen to what they have to say. As you teach your children about baptism and listen to their thoughts, you may be amazed at the depth of faith and understanding they have.
Teaching about baptism takes time, so this may be a continuing conversation. Take the pressure off yourself and your child so that you may be sure they fully understand before taking the step of baptism. When they are ready to be baptized, sign up for our next baptism event! We are excited to watch your child take their next step and equip you to teach them.