Parents, congratulations on your child’s desire to get baptized! This handout is designed to be a helpful guide as you talk with your child about baptism. Our hope is that, as you review these key concepts and discuss these questions, you will be able to see in your child a basic understanding of baptism and genuine desire to live a life of following Jesus.

One caution to parents: 
Baptism is something a Believer chooses to do in obedience to Jesus and celebration of His finished work on the cross. There is no need to rush or pressure your child toward baptism if they are not ready or interested. On the flip side, there is no age or knowledge requirement for those who are in Christ and desire to know and follow Him. We LOVE baptizing kids and are so excited to participate in your child’s baptism if you see evidence of salvation in your child’s life and heart, and if they have expressed a desire to be baptized.

Read with your child: Baptism is NOT something you do to be saved. Baptism is something you get to do after you have already believed in Jesus as your Savior.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says “ For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift — not from works, so that no one can boast.” (CBS)

Here are some questions to ask your child about salvation:
1) Who is Jesus?
2) Why do you want to follow Jesus?
3) Have you trusted Jesus as your savior?
4) Why do/did you need to be saved?
       (What does Jesus save us from?)
5) What do/did you need to do to be saved?

Parents, look for an awareness of personal sin and need for forgiveness, desire to follow Jesus, and understanding that salvation comes through faith alone. If your child displays evidence of salvation, continue the conversation about baptism!

Read with your child: 
Baptism is a PICTURE of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.  When you get baptized, it’s a little like you’re acting out a scene to remember what Jesus has already done for you.  You will go under the water which looks like Jesus’ burial, and come out of the water which looks like Jesus rising from the dead.

Baptism is more than just a game of charades though! It’s also a way to IDENTIFY yourself with Jesus. That means when you get baptized you’re saying “I belong with Jesus! When he died, that was for me. When he rose from the dead, that was for me too!”
Colossians 2:12 says “For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.” (NLT)

Here are some questions to ask your child about baptism:
1) Does baptism save you?
2) What does baptism show a picture of?
3) Why do you want to be baptized?

Parents, look for a basic understanding of the symbolism of baptism and, more importantly, a desire to identify with and follow Jesus.

Read with your child: Baptism is an ANNOUNCEMENT to your friends, family, and church that you have been saved by Jesus and are choosing to follow him.  When you get baptized, there will be a crowd of people watching and cheering because baptism is something we celebrate!
Luke 15:10 says, “I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”

Ask your child who they would like to invite to attend their baptism!
Parents, if you believe your child displays evidence of saving faith in Jesus and a desire to be baptized, your next step is to set up a conversation between you, your child, and a couple of your child’s church leaders.  This will be a chance for your child to share about his or her desire to be baptized as well as ask any questions they may have.
Schedule this conversation by sending an email to casey.mcbay@parkviewfamily.org

If, after reviewing this handout with your child, you don’t believe they’re ready to be baptized or you’re not sure, that’s completely ok!
Don’t be discouraged if you or your child decide they need to wait a while before getting baptized. 
Keep sharing Jesus’ love and grace with them, keep praying over them, and keep trusting God with their precious heart and life!
If you have any questions about baptism content, process, or helping your child prepare, feel free to reach out to
Casey McBay (Parkview Family Pastor) Casey.mcbay@parkviewfamily.org  
or Casey Hagle (Senior Pastor) casey.hagle@parkviewfamily.org

For further study, check out these examples of baptism throughout scripture:
Matthew 3:16 - Jesus’ baptism
Matthew 28:16-20 - The Great Commission
Acts 2:41 - 3,000 new Believers baptized at Pentecost
Acts 8:12 - New Believers in Samaria
Acts 8:36-37 - The Ethiopian eunuch believes and is baptized
Acts 10:48 - Gentile Believers baptized after receiving the Holy Spirit
Acts 16:31-34 - The Phillipian jailer and his household believe and are baptized
Acts 22:16 - Paul’s baptism