TableTalks: Why We Do What We DoSýnishorn

Why We Do What We Do: Baptism

Ask This: What is your favorite sports team? What are some ways you let others know they are your favorite?

Say This: In the movie Woodlawn, there is a powerful scene where the coach attends church because he wants to tell others about what God has done in his life. That is exactly what baptism is supposed to be; it is our chance to let other people know that Jesus has changed our life and that we now belong to Him. (Suggestion: search for this clip and show it on a laptop or mobile device.)

Say This: It is important that we understand that baptism is NOT how we are saved from our sins. There is nothing magical about the water used in baptism. We are saved the moment we invite Jesus Christ into our heart. Baptism is simply an outward display of something that God has already done in us.

Ask/Say This: (If you wear a wedding band, show it to your kids. If not describe one.) What does this ring mean? This ring is simply an outward symbol that tells anyone who sees it that I am committed to your mom. It is not the ring that makes us married. Just because someone wears a ring, doesn’t mean they are married.

Say This: Baptism is a picture of our death and resurrection. (Read Romans 6:3-4)

Going under the waters of baptism is a picture of our old self being buried just like Jesus was buried. We were as dead in our sin as Jesus was dead on the cross. Baptism reminds us that our old self and our sin was buried along with Jesus.

Coming out of the baptismal waters is a picture of being raised from the dead to eternal life. It is a reminder that just like Jesus was resurrected from the dead, we have been made new and have been given a new life.

Say This: Even though He was without sin, Jesus was baptized as a way of being an example for us (Read Matthew 3:13-17) He later commanded his followers to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 29:19) Obviously, baptism is something that God takes seriously, and it is something that we should take seriously as well.

Ask This:

1. What do we need to be saved from? Why? What did God do to save you?
2. Do you believe that baptism saves you? Why or why not?
3. Does anyone in our family need to take the next step-thru baptism? (Don’t pressure, just guide the discussion)

Pray This: Dear God, thank you for giving us baptism as a way of telling others that you have changed us and that we now belong to you. We are grateful that you loved us enough to send your son to pay the price for our sin that we could never pay. Help us to never be ashamed to tell others about what you have done for us. Amen