Baptism for Kids
We celebrate when kids take the step to follow Jesus and make him the leader of their life!
Kids can register to be baptized once they’ve completed 1st grade and have made a personal decision to follow Jesus.
Here's a guide to have meaningful conversation with your child to help determine if they are ready for baptism.
Step 1: Watch the baptism for kids video.
Take a few minutes to watch the baptism for kids video to start the conversation with your child.
Step 2: Talk through these questions together.
Have you made Jesus the leader of your life? What does that mean to you?
Before getting baptized, your child should have made the decision to follow Jesus and make him the leader of their life. In John 3:16-17, we read that God sent his only Son, Jesus, to save the world, not to judge it! Your child should know that Jesus died on the cross and came back to life so that they can have a relationship with him for the rest of their lives!
What to listen for: They chose to follow Jesus.
Why do you want to be baptized?
Sometimes, kids will decide to get baptized because their friend is getting baptized or a leader/parent encouraged them to. While these are not bad reasons, the ultimate decision to get baptized should be a choice your child makes for themselves. Jesus gave us a great example and was baptized himself! He also instructs us to be baptized in Matthew 28:19. Your child may want to be get baptized because Jesus tells us to in the Bible!
What to listen for: It's their personal decision, and they want to share their faith with others. They recognize that in the Bible, Jesus tells us to get baptized and that he was baptized himself.
Why do we go underwater when we are baptized?
Going underwater during baptism reminds us that Jesus washed away our sins and that he died on the cross and came back to life. When we come up out of the water, we celebrate the new life we live when we follow Jesus! Read Romans 6:1-14 about how we have new life in Christ.
What to listen for: They remind you of Jesus’ story and demonstrate understanding of the meaning of baptism: Jesus washed away our sins and gave us a new life.
Step 3: Decide your next steps.
A. If your child has chosen to follow Jesus and wants to make a public declaration of their faith, they are ready to be baptized! Sign up to get registered here.
B. If your child doesn't seem ready, that's okay! Here are some ways to continue the conversation.
Learn More
1. Affirm your child’s desire to own their faith and take the next steps to get baptized.
2. Read different stories of people being baptized in the Bible. Mark 1:1-13, John 3:22-36, Acts 8:34-40
3. Make a plan to watch a previous baptism service with your child. Discuss what you watched with your child and talk about why baptism is an important step in their faith journey.
Parent/Child Dedication
Looking for a way to take a step of faith as a family?
Parent/Child Dedication could be a great opportunity to trust in God's guidance for your child's life and commit to leading them closer to God each day. To learn more about upcoming Parent/Child Dedication ceremonies, click here.