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How to Tell if Your Child is Ready for Baptism

by John Murchison via vergenetwork.org 

Baptism is an important step that a believer in Christ takes to share with the world that they are a Christian. As your children see others get baptized, or read about Jesus getting baptized in their Bibles, they may begin to ask if they can get baptized. While this desire is always an occasion to rejoice, it’s important for parents to discern whether or not a child understands and believes the gospel before saying “yes” to this request.

Of course, there is no system or checklist that you can go through to tell whether or not your son or daughter is ready to be baptized. But here are a few questions to help you think and pray through as you consider whether or not to baptize your children:

  • Whose idea was it to get baptized? If your child thinks that you want them to get baptized, they may do it just to please you. If your child wants to get baptized without any prompting from you, that can be evidence of the Holy Spirit calling them to get baptized.
  • Does your child understand the gospel? Do they understand what sin is, and that the penalty for sin has been taken by the death of Jesus? Do they understand that there’s no amount of good works they can do to please God, but that Jesus was perfect on their behalf? Do they understand that Jesus’s resurrection means that there is no more penalty for sin to be paid, and that we can live with God forever through faith in him?
  • Is there evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in your child’s life? When a person is brought to faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live in them and begins to change them to make them look more like Jesus. Do you see conviction and repentance of sin? Do you see a love for God and His Word, the Bible?
  • Do you have others that you can process this through with? Obviously, your spouse should be the first person that you pray and discuss this with. But think about involving others as well. It’s a safe bet that your friends and you small group would love to pray with you about this important decision. Your church elders and staff would also be great to talk with.

Releasing the Pressure

I mentioned earlier that deciding whether or not to baptize your child is an important decision. And it is. But I also want you to remember that this is not a life and death decision, and not an eternal life or eternal death decision. The act of baptism itself does not save a person. Only God can do that. And a believer who doesn’t get baptized has not committed the unforgivable sin.

If you’re not sure if now is the right time, then it might be best to hold off. No harm can come to your child by waiting, since it doesn’t impact their salvation. A child who is older will also be able to better articulate their faith, and will better remember this important step of faith.

If your child can articulate what Jesus has done for them, if you see fruit of the Holy Spirit in their lives, and if you and your spouse agree that now is the right time, then there’s no reason to wait. Talk with your family, community, and church leadership to know the best method, time, and place to celebrate your son or daughter becoming your brother or sister in Christ.

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Learn About Jesus in the Scriptures

Today we talked about the difference that Jesus makes and one of the takeaway applications was for us to learn more about who Christ is from the scriptures.

Here are a few bible reading plans that you can start.  Don't forget that the scriptures was intended to be studied and learned in the context of community so invite someone who loves and follows Jesus to join you!

Is Jesus Something More? (7 Day Plan)

One man’s life changed the course of history for billions across the globe. Who is this man and what difference does it make? This seven-day devotional explores the life of Jesus Christ and explains why understanding his identity is central to understanding yours. This discipleship tool will enable you to better understand and articulate your faith in Jesus and equip you to walk non-believers through a clear gospel message.

This weeklong devotional features Dr. Ravi Zacharias' reflections on the Gospel of John from his book, "Jesus Among the Other Gods." Dr. Zacharias leads readers to think about who Jesus is and why his identity matters for our lives.

Jesus the King (9 Day Plan)

New York Times bestselling author and renowned pastor Timothy Keller shares a series of episodes from the life of Jesus as told in the book of Mark. Taking a closer look at these stories, he brings new insights on the relationship between our lives and the life of the son of God, leading up to Easter. JESUS THE KING is now a book and study guide for small groups, available wherever books are sold.

BEFORE THE CROSS: The Life of Jesus (80 Day Plan)

God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross paying the price for all our sins, and rose from the dead defeating death and sin. This 80 day reading plan takes you through the four Gospels, in chronological order, walking through the life of Jesus from His birth to His ascension into Heaven.

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Sermon on the Mount Resources

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7) is the most important sermon of all time.  This is not true just because Jesus was the one who gave it, but this sermon was the foundation that Jesus set for what a life fully submitted to him looks like.  

For those of you who join us at Clarity for this 10 week study, you may want to "geek out" on this passage in more ways than we are able to do so in a 30 minute period one a week.  So here are some resources by theologians and scholars what have submitted their thoughts.

As with any man-made attempts to make commentary of scripture, always be a student and don't automatically take what all these people have to say for truth just because they wrote a book.  Do your homework.  Study tour bible. Pray.  Get in community with other people who follow Christ and love the scriptures and are committed to understanding if for all it's worth.

Here is a list of some resources that you can use to gain more perspective on "What He Said!"

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