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

We advise parents to wait until their child is asking to be water baptized. This is usually a good indication that they are ready to be baptized, and will be a spiritual milestone in their lives.

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.

YOUR CHILD IS READY

If you feel your child understands what it means to be water 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 water baptized, it’s totally appropriate to wait. During this time, let your child observe water baptism and talk to them. We’d love for you to read through the water baptism devotional with your child and spur them on in their personal friendship with Jesus.

Water Baptism Devotional

OBEYING JESUS’ COMMANDMENT

Matthew 28:19-20 NLT [19] Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. [20] 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."

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

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, so we should be, too.

Matthew 3:13-17 NLT [13] Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. [14] But John tried to talk him out of it. "I am the one who needs to be baptized by you," he said, "so why are you coming to me?" [15] But Jesus said, "It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires." So John agreed to baptize him. [16] After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. [17] And a voice from heaven said, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy."

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

AN OUTWARD PICTURE

Colossians 2:12 NLT 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.

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 did) 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 FATIH

Romans 6:4 NLT 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.

Water baptism does not save you. It has no purpose or meaning until after you have decided to follow Jesus and invited Jesus 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?