Because baptism is such an important next step in the life of a believer, it’s equally important that kids and students understand what God has done for them and what baptism truly symbolizes.
“My life is different because of Jesus mainly because I used to not be able to throw a football very far, but now I can.” —Actual quote from an elementary student seeking baptism
🤣 While endearing and worthy of a “Kids Say the Darndest Things” episode, this isn’t necessarily a reflection of someone who fully understands the weight of the decision to be baptized. Every faith decision has a different story, but at the foundation, we want the result to be the same for everyone—that they have a better grasp of the Gospel and can articulate their story so it makes sense to others.
So, how can you start the conversation with your child when they express a desire to be baptized? Keep it simple by asking questions! Start with something like:
- Who is Jesus?
- What did Jesus do for you?
Here’s a way to explain salvation and baptism in a way kids can understand:
- God loves you! He sent his only son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16).
- What’s sin? It’s when we do wrong or mess up. We deserve consequences for sin, but when we trust in Jesus, he takes the punishment for us (Ecclesiastes 7:20).
- To follow Jesus, you must admit that you’re a sinner and ask for forgiveness (Acts 3:19).
- Baptism comes after we put our faith and trust in Jesus. It’s a way to publicly express that you belong to Jesus and want everyone (Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa) to know it (Romans 6:3-4).
Have confidence in your child’s decision to be baptized? Join our NextGen Baptism Celebration, where parents and family members rally around their kid/student’s desire to publicly proclaim their love for Jesus.
*We are a church located in Greenville, South Carolina. Our vision is to see God transform us into a community of grace passionately pursuing life and mission with Jesus.*
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