Water Baptism for Children
How do you know your child is ready?
This is exciting! Your child has come to you asking to be water baptized. But now what? How do you know they are ready? The following will help you and your child decide whether or not they are ready to take the next step and be water baptized.
Jesus wants to have a personal relationship with each and every one of us. Water baptism is one of the next steps after your child has received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of their life. This is an important milestone in their Christian walk and we want it to be a significant one that they remember. We suggest waiting until your child is asking you to be water baptized; this is a good indication that they are ready. At Seaport, we require that your child must be at least 7 years old. While younger children can have a personal relationship with Jesus and love Him with their whole hearts, they will not necessarily remember or understand the significance of baptism, so we encourage parents to wait until they are a little older.
As you discern if your child is ready to be water baptized, use the following questions to guide your conversation:
1. Have you decided to follow Jesus and ask Him to be the Lord of your life (your best friend)?
Answers that indicate your child understands: Yes, I have asked Jesus into my life. I have asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins. I love Jesus.
2. Why do you want to be water baptized?
How do you know your child is ready?
This is exciting! Your child has come to you asking to be water baptized. But now what? How do you know they are ready? The following will help you and your child decide whether or not they are ready to take the next step and be water baptized.
Jesus wants to have a personal relationship with each and every one of us. Water baptism is one of the next steps after your child has received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of their life. This is an important milestone in their Christian walk and we want it to be a significant one that they remember. We suggest waiting until your child is asking you to be water baptized; this is a good indication that they are ready. At Seaport, we require that your child must be at least 7 years old. While younger children can have a personal relationship with Jesus and love Him with their whole hearts, they will not necessarily remember or understand the significance of baptism, so we encourage parents to wait until they are a little older.
As you discern if your child is ready to be water baptized, use the following questions to guide your conversation:
1. Have you decided to follow Jesus and ask Him to be the Lord of your life (your best friend)?
Answers that indicate your child understands: Yes, I have asked Jesus into my life. I have asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins. I love Jesus.
2. Why do you want to be water baptized?
Answers that indicate your child understands: Because Jesus was baptized and He tells us to be. Because I love Jesus and I want the world to know. Because Jesus is my best friend and I want to follow Him.
3. What does it mean to be water baptized?
Answers that indicate your child understands: It means I am following Jesus. It means I'm a Christian and I want to show the world. I symbolizes Jesus washing my sins away and becoming a new person.
If you feel your child understands what it means to be water baptized, then fill out the water baptism registration.
If you don't feel your child understands what it means to be water baptized, it's totally appropriate to wait. Remember, water baptism does not save-that is accomplished by your child trusting in Jesus. During this time, let your child observe water baptism and talk to them about what it means.
3. What does it mean to be water baptized?
Answers that indicate your child understands: It means I am following Jesus. It means I'm a Christian and I want to show the world. I symbolizes Jesus washing my sins away and becoming a new person.
If you feel your child understands what it means to be water baptized, then fill out the water baptism registration.
If you don't feel your child understands what it means to be water baptized, it's totally appropriate to wait. Remember, water baptism does not save-that is accomplished by your child trusting in Jesus. During this time, let your child observe water baptism and talk to them about what it means.
If you have any questions or would like to talk to someone about Water Baptism, please contact Pastor Brad Whipple in the office at (860) 448-6224.