Is My Child Ready to Be Baptized?

We hope this information will help parents who are wondering if their child is ready to be baptized into Christ. Please feel free to call the church office, 303-776-2927, for any questions or to schedule a baptism.

1. We are counting on parents to help each child process their decision.

Here are some ideas to identify the readiness of your child as you process this commitment with them.

A. Head: Do they know the central role and meaning of the cross of Christ?  Do they grasp the love and the judgment of God?  Do they see their need for Jesus to be their Savior and Lord?  Do they connect Jesus' resurrection to their hope for eternal life and a place called heaven? The amount of knowledge is not great or extensive as we are all still learning. Your child should be able to share these concepts with you.

B.  Heart: To call on Jesus as Savior and to live with him as Lord is a decision of the heart.  Repentance is a sense of personal sin, right and wrong, and accountability before God.  Faith is a trust in the person of Jesus to take care of our sin and put us in relationship with God. These are heart issues. Committing to Christ is not merely saying the right words.  Can you sense that repentance and faith are wrapped up in their decision?

C. Implications: Does your child see the implications of this decision? Jesus is not only Savior but also Lord. He is to be followed and served. Has your child begun to verbally express any impact this commitment might make with friends, family, decisions, behavior, or priorities?

2.  What if my child is asking (which is good) but is not quite ready?

A. Be proud of their spiritual interest and excited about their hunger for spiritual things.

B. Be a parent that helps them grow in their understanding of God's Word. What can your family add to your prayer time and study of God's Word?

C. Give your child some steps that will also help them in their future commitment. What about reading all the passages that talk about baptism, or reading through one of the gospels on their own? Perhaps call another family member and have a spiritual conversation.  Ask the Children's Ministry if they have additional study materials or meet with a church staff member that your child may know.

3. What do we do when we are ready?

A.  If you have not done so, please go through a class with the Children's Ministry on salvation and baptism.  Call the church office for the next available class.

B.  Schedule the baptism through the church office.

4. What about the parents?

Perhaps the discussion and discovery your child is making brings questions about your own commitment? We welcome families committing to Christ together. If you do not remember making a personal commitment to Christ or being baptized in the manner discussed in class, then please let us help you take these important spiritual steps as well.