Explaining Baptism to Kids
Dec 14, 2009 by Eric Baptism can be confusing for kids. They see it in church and read about it in Scripture, but rarely does anyone take the time to stop and explain it to them in terms they understand. The result is that kids form many false beliefs about what baptism is and why it's important.
Here’s one way baptism was explained to me when I was a kid and I never forgot it. Hope you find it helpful:
Baptism is a symbol. It's meant to show the world that that you love, trust, and have put your hope in Christ. It's like a wedding ring...
I'm not married right now, but if I put a wedding ring on my finger, would that make me married? No, of course not. Similarly, I can be baptized in a church, but that doesn’t make me a true believer in Christ. Imagine that I really was married, though. My wife and I really did go through the marriage ceremony, but I just didn't have my ring on my finger. Would that mean I wasn't married? No way; of course I would still be married. Similarly, I can be a believer in Christ, but not baptized, and my sins are still paid for and forgiven by God.
But imagine that I truly was married and I really really loved my wife. Would I wear my wedding ring? Of course! I would love my wife and want the whole world to know it! In the same way, if I have trusted Christ to save me from sin, and He is the lord and joy of my life, then I'll want everyone to know about it. So baptism is a statement to everyone who sees it that I have trusted Christ for my salvation and I’m committed to living for Him.
Of course, I’m not suggesting you’ll never need to have another conversation about baptism after this illustration. There’s much this doesn’t cover, but I do think it lays a firm foundation that you as a parent or minister can build upon in future discussions. Comment to share other ways you've explained baptism to kids?
Reader Comments (5)
This is really a great way of explaining baptism to kids! You have really hit on one of the key aspects of baptism--making a public profession of faith and identifying with the death, burial, and new life of Christ.
Here are a couple of thoughts about children and baptism that I would like to add for consideration. Baptism also is VERY closely tied with church membership, and I think the fact that we do not emphasize this enough is a serious shortcoming of the church today.
It is also important to understand baptism as a way of identifying with a particular local body of believers, or a local church. The act of baptism, then, is a time for the church to attest that they have observed evidences of grace and change in the life of the candidate and have sufficient reason to affirm his or her baptism and membership in the local church.
Now, this understanding of baptism brings with it many other issues. Technically, once a child is baptized, he or she is now a full member of the local congregation, but is a child really capable of responsibly voting in matters of the church? Also, after baptism, members are eligible to participate in communion. This means that newly baptized children also ought to be instructed in the true meaning of communion, and likewise, church discipline. Are children capable of understanding these concepts fully?
Please don't misunderstand my comments. I am absolutely an advocate of child baptism. I am simply suggesting that baptism carries with it much more significance than we sometimes assign it. It is the responsibility of the church, then, to properly teach children about these matters and to make sure that a firm understanding is a requisite to participation in baptism. In many ways, I feel we have neglected these teachings.
How will we know when children are ready and when they understand these difficult concepts? Well, the age or time will certainly be different with every child, but the proof is quite easy. When a child can clearly articulate what baptism means--in its full significance--I believe he is ready to participate in this ordinance of the church.
That was a wonderful easy way to explain it. Thank you so much for having this information availible!!!!!
I loved the explanation, but in regards to Henry's comments, what church did Jesus join when He was baptised by John the Baptist?
It must have been "first" baptist church!!
Just kidding..not trying to make any theological statements...
Thanks For Posting this. I am only 12 and i need to look up a little bit what it truly means to be baptized because i am getting baptized next weekend!