Next Steps For KidsSample

What is baptism all about?

Watch the video about baptism together. Use the following questions and Bible verses to talk it over as a family.

Why do we have to follow Jesus before we can get baptized? Baptism shows we follow Jesus. If you haven’t chosen Jesus as your leader and number one friend, it’s not time for baptism yet. (Acts 2:38-41)

What is baptism? Baptism shows everyone we made a decision on the inside to follow Jesus. (Acts 8:12)

Why do people who follow Jesus get baptized? Jesus chose to be baptized. Jesus tells us to be baptized to show we follow Him. (Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 28:18-20)

Why do we go under water when we’re baptized? Going under the water and coming up again shows we believe Jesus died and came back to life three days later. Our old self that followed sin is dead. Now we’re living a new life following Jesus. (Romans 6:3-5)

If baptism shows our old sinful life is dead, why do people still sin after they get baptized? We should live in a way that doesn’t choose sin. But, since we still live in human bodies, we struggle with sin even when our hearts and minds want to live God’s way. (Romans 6:1-2, Romans 7:21-23)

When you sin, do you need to get baptized again? No. Tell Jesus what you did, ask Him to forgive you, and He will. (John 10:27-29, 1 John 1:9)

If these questions show your child has a solid understanding of baptism, consider having your child watch a baptism at your church, and let them talk about what it made them think or feel. Some kids feel frightened about such an unusual public event while others think it looks fun and want to do it just to get to go swimming.

If your child does want to pursue baptism for the right reasons, open up a conversation with your church leaders. Ask them what steps your child needs to take before they can be baptized in your church community.