Parenting and Baptism
HOW TO SPEAK WITH YOUR KIDS ABOUT BAPTISM
At Risen we love celebrating the marks of spiritual life, especially that of baptism. We hope that hearing about and seeing baptisms would cause your children to ask questions about what it means to be baptized. We encourage you to celebrate those questions because the Holy Spirit is working in them!
Here are a few talking points to engage in conversation with your kids about baptism:
What is Baptism?
Baptism is an act of obedience to Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20) and is our public declaration that we are followers of Jesus and have union with Christ in his life, death, burial, and resurrection. (Galatians 3:26-27).
Baptism does not save us from our sin, only Jesus can do that, and he accomplished that when he died and rose from the grave. For believers, baptism is an outward sign of our inward transformation which Jesus has done.
When we see a person go under the water it reminds us that we were fully submerged in our sin (Ephesians 2:1-3) as we identify with Jesus in his death. When we see a person come up out of the water, we’re reminded that Jesus has conquered sin in full and we identify with his victory over sin as he has washed us clean and made our hearts new (Romans 6:4).
Who is Baptism For?
Baptism is for those who understand they are sinners in need of a savior and understand that God the Father sent his son Jesus to rescue a broken world. Baptism is for those who believe that Jesus’ life, death and resurrection conquered sin and that we’ve been given the Holy Spirit who empowers us to turn from our sin and obey God.
Why be Baptized?
Because Jesus was, and as his sons and daughters, we desire to follow his example (Matthew 3:13-17). Consider reading the story of Jesus’ baptism to your kids and share the story of your own baptism!
It symbolizes our transformation from death to life. Because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave, his Spirit gives us the power to no longer live in sin (Romans 6:1-11, Galatians 2:20).
In the New Testament we see examples of all believers who identify as followers of Jesus being baptized (Acts 2:41; 8:12-13, 36-39; 9:17-18; 10:47-48; 16:14-15, 31-33; 18:8; 19:5).
When Should My Child be Baptized?
If your child can maturely articulate the simple truths of the Gospel, that they are a sinner and believe Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave to free them from sin, that is a great start!
If you see fruit of the Spirit in the life of your child that is a great encouragement as well.
Ultimately the decision is up to you and your child. Consider praying about it together with your child.
Remember that Jesus loves your son or daughter. He cares for them, and their salvation is his. As you pray for the salvation of your child, take heart that Christ loves them, died for them, and in his faithfulness, desires them to come to know him. Be encouraged by the words of Christ in Matthew:
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.’”
Matthew 18:1-6
“Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’ And he laid his hands on them and went away.”
Matthew 19:13-15
For further reading, here are a few helpful resources about baptism and children: