If your child has made the decision to follow Jesus, it is time to take the next step by being water baptized. Below you will find a video and a water baptism guide to help you and your child talk through what it means to be water baptized.
We are so excited that you are considering baptism for your child! Every child can have a personal relationship with Jesus, and in Kids on the Move, we encourage each child to make a decision to follow Him. Our children are encouraged not just to learn about Jesus, but to learn from Him by walking with Him every day.
We advise parents to wait until their child is asking to be water baptized. This is usually a good indication that they are ready to be baptized and that it will be a spiritual milestone in their life. While younger children can have a relationship with Jesus, they will not necessarily remember or understand the significance of the event, so we encourage parents to wait for baptism until they are in the second grade or older.
As you discern if your child is ready to be water baptized, here are some questions to ask your child. The following answers show that your child understands water baptism.
Your child should have a specific memory of when he or she understood what Jesus did, and that he or she needs Jesus in their life. It may have been at church, at home, or even when they were alone.
I am following Jesus, and I want everyone to know! It is a picture of what Jesus has done on the inside of me.
Because Jesus was baptized and he tells us to be baptized too. Because I want to follow Him. Because I am born again.
If you feel your child does not understand what it means to be water baptized, it is entirely appropriate to wait. During this time, let your child observe water baptism and talk to them about what it means. We would love for you to read through the water baptism devotional with your child and encourage them in their personal friendship with Jesus.
“So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end.” Matthew 28:19-20 NIRV
Water baptism is one of the first steps you take in following Jesus. A disciple of Jesus does not just learn about Jesus but follows Jesus and does the things He taught and modeled. The number one reason you should get baptized in water is because Jesus tells you to be baptized. When you were saved from sin by making Jesus your Lord, you were brought into God’s family under Jesus’ control. That means you have decided to do what Jesus says and follow His example. Jesus was baptized in water Himself, and He set the example for all of the disciples to follow.
Take time right now to read about Jesus’ baptism in your Bible in Matthew 3:13-17.
Question: What is the number one reason you should be baptized in water?
“When you were baptized, you were buried together with Jesus, and you were raised to life together with him.” Colossians 2:12 NIRV
Water baptism is an outward picture of what Jesus has done for you on the inside. Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and then was raised from the dead to life! When you were saved from sin by making Jesus your Lord, there was a death, a burial, and a raising to life that happened in your spirit. (I Corinthians 12:13) This is why you go all the way under the water when you are baptized. You are showing people that your old spirit and all your sins are buried with Jesus. When you come up out of the water, you are saying that Jesus has given you new life inside, that you have been born again. Everyone can see the picture of the change that has taken place on the inside of you.
Question: Water baptism is a picture of what?
“By being baptized, we were buried with Jesus into his death. Christ has been raised from the dead by the Father’s glory. And like Jesus we also can live a new life.” Romans 6:4 NIRV
Water baptism does not save or make you born again. It has no purpose or meaning until after a person has decided to follow Jesus and has invited Him to be the Lord of their life. However, water baptism is a very important step in following Jesus. When you decided to follow Jesus, you made a decision of faith to receive Him into your life. When you are baptized in water, you are making a decision of faith to follow Him for your whole life. You are choosing to let Jesus be in charge of your new life. Your water baptism will always be a reminder of your decision to follow Jesus.
Question: What decision of faith are you making when you are water baptized?
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