How to Teach Baptism to Your Children
We have had earlier studies on how to talk to your child about the specific steps to becoming a Christian. Now we come to the step that puts him or her into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27): baptism. I have had the honor of baptizing both of my daughters into Christ, and it is a special day to see your whole family in His body, the church. Now I have a grandson and a granddaughter, who are too young yet to obey the Gospel, but we anticipate they will follow their parents’ and grandparents’ example.
When children first start asking questions about baptism, it can be both exciting and intimidating. It’s exciting because Mom and Dad know their children’s faith in Christ is leading them to make an important decision that will impact them for eternity: they will enjoy the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38) and begin a new life in Christ (Romans 6:3-4); the boys will begin their growth as leaders in Christ’s church. It’s intimidating because, as the parent, you want to make sure they know what they are doing and that they are making the decision for the right reasons.
We are not trying to get our children wet; in other words, simply dunking them in water is not the goal (see 1 Peter 3:21). The goal of all conversions is to create followers of Jesus (Acts 22:16). So, the first thing to ask yourself is whether your children are already showing signs of wanting to follow Christ. Are they taking the initiative to engage in other spiritual activities, such as reading the Bible and praying on their own? One question many preachers ask children is this: “If you died tonight, would you go to heaven or hell?” Many children respond “Heaven” because they do not grasp the significance of sin or see themselves as sinners before God. If that is the case, you should discuss the nature of sin by studying passages like Romans 1:28-32 and Galatians 5:19-21.
Think about the context of the question as well. Sometimes other kids are on a “spiritual high” from Bible camp, retreats, etc., and one child after another starts expressing interest in baptism. That is well and good, but you have to gauge your own child’s interest, his or her ability to commit to Christ, and the depth of that interest. Baptism is a personal decision, not a collective one.
If your child is asking questions for an extended period, it indicates a serious heart and a meditating mind. He or she might be asking aloud or privately, “What happens when we sin?” “Why did Jesus have to die?” “How do I know if I am saved?” Or “Why do I need to be baptized?” These are serious questions that indicate the child is moving toward obedience to the Gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
If you have extended conversations about these questions and your child shows serious interest in the answers, then he or she is likely a good candidate to become a disciple of Christ. Try reading, or rather have your son or daughter read, Romans 6:1-7, and then have them paraphrase the text to you in a way that shows they understand what Paul is saying. Young people will not show a mature “adult” understanding, but is there evidence that they are grasping the concepts?
Additional context clues from your children’s lives include whether they show interest in what is right and wrong, and whether they express concern about what the Bible says. Is there evidence that the child is being honest about what he or she is doing right and wrong? How does the child accept correction? Does your child understand that obedience to Christ is sometimes difficult? Here, you might read and discuss Luke 14:25-33 with him or her.
Paul writes in Romans 8:14 that those led by the Spirit of God are children of God. In this context, Paul means that the person is being led by the “law of the Spirit of life in Christ” (v. 2), the “law of God” (v. 7), and the “will of God” (v. 27). Therefore, study the texts that discuss baptism and its purpose; better still, have your child read and paraphrase them so you can see whether he or she truly understands what the writer is saying.
To see if your child understands, avoid asking questions with easy answers, such as “yes” or “no.” Instead, ask, “Why did Jesus die on the cross?” or “What does it mean to repent?” You don’t want the child to simply repeat answers heard from someone else; you want to know whether the child is processing the truth and able to respond from his or her own heart.
Again, if your child is paying attention during worship, that is a good sign. Children will struggle to pay attention throughout the entire service, but one who is growing spiritually will begin to listen more attentively, perhaps even taking notes. He or she will also sing and pay attention to prayers and Scripture readings. Worship will also prompt more questions. Are these questions occasional, or do they show a pattern of spiritual thoughtfulness?
Some parents of young children shy away from stories such as Abraham offering Isaac on the altar or the killing of “innocent” lambs. But we cannot grasp the significance of the Gospel without discussing God’s holiness, His judgment, guilt, sin, and eternal separation from God. Before your child can respond to the “Good News” (the Gospel), he or she needs to grasp the “bad news”: sin. We are not talking about frightening a child; that could produce the wrong motivation. But teach lovingly, patiently, and clearly. Sin is more than “making mistakes”; it is an act of disobedience to God and to parents and other authorities. Young children can grasp discussions of selfishness, dishonesty, disobedience, cruelty, and pride. As they grow, they can understand what forgiveness means.
Your child should show some degree of personal responsibility. Does your child recognize that sin separates people from God and that only Jesus can bring reconciliation? Baptism will be just a dunking in the water if your child does not grasp these ideas. So, discuss repentance. It is, of course, not sinlessness, but it does mean moving toward pleasing God in every area of life. We all stumble, including Mom and Dad, and we all need forgiveness and holiness that only God can provide (Romans 3:23).
Also, discuss the Christian’s relationship with the church. Baptism places us in the church that belongs to Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13), so they need to learn that Christians do things together: worship, encourage one another, serve, pray, study, and remain faithful. Baptism is not the last step but the first step toward a living, active relationship with God and His people.
If you end up telling your child that he or she is not ready, do not panic. Patience is essential. You are not discouraging your child by slowing the process; you are guiding them to make a careful decision. You can strengthen their faith and their knowledge of God’s Word by gently challenging their sense of “readiness.” If your son or daughter is truly seeking to please Jesus, he or she will grow in that desire rather than letting it fade.
Of course, do not set impossible standards either. No one understands everything in God’s Word perfectly, and your children will not either; they will grow in their knowledge just as you and I will. The question is, rather, “Do they understand the Gospel properly and enough to dedicate their lives to Jesus Christ?” Saturate your conversation with prayer; I certainly hope you are praying daily and constantly for your children anyway.
As we have emphasized in our previous articles on the plan of salvation, make sure you model the right behavior at home. Children learn from your faith as much as from Scripture, and if your faith is lived consistently with Scripture, the impact is that much more powerful. Only God changes hearts; expose your children to God’s message and to God’s people.
If your children are not ready, encourage them to continue studying and growing. They will be ready to give their lives to Christ in the near future. Don’t compare your children to others, whether to yourself or to other children. Each child needs to respond to Christ on their own. Some will grasp spiritual truths more quickly than others. We are not trying to baptize our children as quickly as possible; we are trying to make disciples of them so they can respond with genuine faith, repentance, and understanding.
Keep planting the seed and watering the soil, and allow God to give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:7).
The Purpose of Baptism
- To be saved: Mark 16:15-16; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21
- To be forgiven: Acts 2:38; 22:16
- To be in Christ: Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12
- To be a disciple of Christ: Matthew 28:19
- To enter the kingdom/church: John 3:3-5; Acts 2:41, 47; 8:12; 1 Corinthians 12:13
- To begin a new life: Romans 6:4
Published in Christian Family 11.2 (2026): 6-8.
