Baptism Guide

Baptism Guide

We are so excited that you are considering baptism for your child! Every child can have a personal relationship with Jesus, and in NC Kids we encourage them to make a decision to follow Him. Our children are encouraged to not just learn about Jesus, but earn from Him by walking with Him everyday.

We advise parents to wait until their child is asking to be baptized. This is usually a good indication that they are ready and that it will be a spiritual milestone in their life. While younger children under the age of seven can have a relationship with Jesus, they will not necessarily remember or understand the significance of the event, so we encourage parents to wait for baptism until they are a little older.
We are so excited that you are considering baptism for your child! Every child can have a personal relationship with Jesus, and in NC Kids we encourage them to make a decision to follow Him. Our children are encouraged to not just learn about Jesus, but earn from Him by walking with Him everyday.

We advise parents to wait until their child is asking to be baptized. This is usually a good indication that they are ready and that it will be a spiritual milestone in their life. While younger children under the age of seven can have a relationship with Jesus, they will not necessarily remember or understand the significance of the event, so we encourage parents to wait for baptism until they are a little older.
As you discern if your child is ready to be baptized in water, here are some questions to ask your child.
The following answers show that your child understands.

When did you decide to follow Jesus and become His forever friend?

Your child should have a specific memory of when he or she understood what Jesus did, and that he or she needs Jesus in their life. It may have been at church, at home, or even sometime when they were alone.

What does it mean to be baptized in water?

It means I’m following Jesus. It means I’m a Christian, and I want to show the world. It’s a picture of what Jesus has done on the inside of me.

Why do you want to be baptized in water?

Because Jesus was baptized, and He tells us to be baptized as well. Because I’m a friend of Jesus, and I want to follow Him.
As you discern if your child is ready
to be baptized in water, here are some
questions to ask your child.
The following answers show that
your child understands.

When did you decide to follow Jesus and become His forever friend?

Your child should have a specific memory of when he or she understood what Jesus did, and that he or she needs Jesus in their life. It may have been at church, at home, or even sometime when they were alone.

What does it mean to be baptized in water?

It means I’m following Jesus. It means I’m a Christian, and I want to show the world. It’s a picture of what Jesus has done on the inside of me.

Why do you want to be baptized in water?

Because Jesus was baptized, and He tells us to be baptized as well. Because I’m a friend of Jesus, and I want to follow Him.

Your Child is Ready

If you feel your child understands what it means to be baptized, then we’d love for you to read through the Water Baptism Devotional with them.

Your Child is Not Ready

If you don’t feel your child understands what it means to be baptized in water, it’s totally appropriate to wait. During this time, let your child observe water baptism and talk to them about what it means. We’d love for you to read through the Water Baptism Devotional (on the back of this flyer) with your child and spur them on in their personal friendship with Jesus.

Water baptism devotional

Water baptism devotional

Obeying Jesus’ Commandment 

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have 

given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

Being baptized in water is one of the first steps you take in following Jesus. A friend of Jesus does not just learn about Jesus, but follows Jesus and does the things He did. The number one reason you should get baptized in water is because Jesus did, and He told us to as well.

When you became a friend of Jesus, you were brought into God’s kingdom under Jesus’ control. That means you have decided to do what Jesus says and follow His example. Jesus was baptized, so we should be too. Take time right now to read about Jesus’ baptism in your Bible in Matthew 3:13-17.

What is the number one reason you should be baptized in water?

An Outward Picture 

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.

Colossians 2:12 NLT

Water Baptism is just an outward picture of what Jesus has done for you on the inside. Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and then was raised from the dead! When you asked Jesus to be your forever friend, there was a death, a burial and a resurrection (that means raising back to life) that happened in your spirit as you prayed the prayer (1 Corinthians 12:13).

That’s why you go all the way under the water when you are baptized. You are showing people that your old spirit and all your past sins (the bad things you have done) are buried with Jesus. When you come up out of the water, you are saying that Jesus has given you new life. Everyone sees the picture of the change that has taken place inside your heart.

What is water baptism a picture of?

A Decision of Faith

For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

Romans 6:4 NLT

Water Baptism does not save you. It has no purpose or meaning until after you have decided to follow Jesus and invited Him into your heart and life. But water baptism is a very important step in your new Christian life. When you decided to follow Jesus, you made a decision of faith to receive Him into your heart. When you are baptized in water, you are making a decision of faith to follow Him all the days of your life. You are choosing to let Jesus and your new, born-again spirit be in charge of your life. Your water baptism will always be a reminder of your decision to follow the Lord.

When you are baptized in water, it means you have made a decision of faith to do what?

Obeying Jesus’ Commandment 

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

Being baptized in water is one of the first steps you take in following Jesus. A friend of Jesus does not just learn about Jesus, but follows Jesus and does the things He did. The number one reason you should get baptized in water is because Jesus did, and He told us to as well.

When you became a friend of Jesus, you were brought into God’s kingdom under Jesus’ control. That means you have decided to do what Jesus says and follow His example. Jesus was baptized, so we should be too. Take time right now to read about Jesus’ baptism in your Bible in Matthew 3:13-17.

What is the number one reason you should be baptized in water?

An Outward Picture 

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.

Colossians 2:12 NLT

Water Baptism is just an outward picture of what Jesus has done for you on the inside. Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and then was raised from the dead! When you asked Jesus to be your forever friend, there was a death, a burial and a resurrection (that means raising back to life) that happened in your spirit as you prayed the prayer (1 Corinthians 12:13).

That’s why you go all the way under the water when you are baptized. You are showing people that your old spirit and all your past sins (the bad things you have done) are buried with Jesus. When you come up out of the water, you are saying that Jesus has given you new life. Everyone sees the picture of the change that has taken place inside your heart.

What is water baptism a picture of?

A Decision of Faith

For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

Romans 6:4 NLT

Water Baptism does not save you. It has no purpose or meaning until after you have decided to follow Jesus and invited Him into your heart and life. But water baptism is a very important step in your new Christian life. When you decided to follow Jesus, you made a decision of faith to receive Him into your heart. When you are baptized in water, you are making a decision of faith to follow Him all the days of your life. You are choosing to let Jesus and your new, born-again spirit be in charge of your life. Your water baptism will always be a reminder of your decision to follow the Lord.

When you are baptized in water, it means you have made a decision of faith to do what?