Walk your child through the kids salvation experience!
Questions to Ask FOR SALVATION
God loves you! God made you and know everything about you (Psalm 139).
You have a big problem called sin, and I do too! Actually, everyone sins, except for Jesus. When you mess up and do wrong things, you sin. Can you think of some wrong things you have done? You deserve to be punished for those things, but Jesus took the punishment for you (Ecclesiastes 7:20).
To follow Jesus, you have to ADMIT that you are a sinner and you’ve messed up. You need to tell God you’re sorry (Acts 3:19).
God wanted to make a way for you to be with Him. God loves you so much that He sent His son Jesus to earth. Jesus took the punishment for the sin of everyone who would believe in Him by dying on a cross. The good news is that Jesus did not stay dead. God brought Jesus back to life. BELIEVE that Jesus died for you, God raised Jesus back to life, and that your sins are forgiven! (Romans 10:9–10)
CONFESS that Jesus as your Savior and Lord to everyone you know. Confess to others that He is your leader and number one friend!
If you feel your child is ready to be saved, use the following prayer as a guide.
God, I know that You love me. I ADMIT that I have done wrong things and I am very sorry. I BELIEVE in my heart that Jesus, Your Son, died for me and that you brought Him back to life. I BELIEVE that my sins are forgiven because of Jesus. Help me to CONFESS to everyone I know that you are my Lord! I commit to following you, Jesus. You are my leader and the Lord of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen!
Water Baptism
How do I know if my child is ready for baptism?
We advise parents to wait until their child is asking to be water baptized. This is usually a good indication that they are reaching the next step in their faith. While younger children under the age of seven can without a doubt have a relationship with Jesus, they may not necessarily remember or understand the significance of this public profession of their re-birth in Christ, so we do encourage parents to wait for baptism until they are a little older and will never forget this special milestone in their life.
As you discern if your child is ready to be water baptized, here are some questions to ask your child. The following answers show your child’s understanding of salvation and baptism:
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.
It means I’m a Christian and I want to show the world what Jesus has done on the inside of me.
Because Jesus was baptized and He tells us to be baptized also. (Mark 1:9, Matthew 28:19-20) Because I’m a friend of Jesus and I want everyone to know I am living my life for Him. (1 John 2:3)
If you don’t feel your child understands what it means to be water baptized, then it’s appropriate to wait. During this time, continue to talk to them about what it means. Continue to pray for your child and their understanding of Jesus and their relationship with Him. Spend time growing together in your relationships with Jesus as a family!
Water Baptist Devo
If you child is asking questions about baptism or is ready to be baptized, we encourage you to read this devotional together as a family. After you have read and discussed this devotional, spend time praying and reflecting on what God spoke to your child or family.
“So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end.” Matthew 28:19-20 NIRV
Being baptized in water is an important step you take in following Jesus. 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 water baptized and tells us to be baptised as well. Take time right now to read about Jesus’ baptism in your Bible in Matthew 3:13-17
“When you were baptized, you were buried together with him. You were raised to life together with him by believing in God’s power. God raised Jesus from the dead.” Colossians 2:12 NIRV
Water baptism is 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 (I 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 did) are buried with Jesus. When you come up out of the water, you are saying that Jesus has given you new life. Everyone can see the change that has taken place in your heart.
“By being baptized, we were buried with Christ [Jesus] into his death. Christ has been raised from the dead by the Father’s glory. And like Christ we can also live a new life.” Romans 6:4 NIRV
Water baptism does not save you. Rather, it has meaning after you decided to follow Jesus and invite Jesus into your heart and life. Water baptism is a very important step in your new Christian life. When you are baptized in water, you are telling everyone that you have decided to follow Jesus 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 go ALL IN.
When you are baptized in water, it means you have made a decision of faith to do what?
To follow Jesus, live a life for Him and with Him, and share that with everyone!