As parents, many of you have wrestled with the question of whether your child is ready for baptism at this time or not. That is not an easy question to answer, nor is it a small one. Baptism is and should be a big deal in the life of every believer. So, how can you know whether the time is right for your child to take this important step of obedience? And if they are ready, what is the process for having your child baptized at Watermark?
First of all, let’s make sure we are on the same page regarding what baptism is. Here is how we understand the ordinance of baptism according to Watermark’s belief statement:
__SECTION 10: THE ORDINANCES OF BAPTISM __
*We believe Christ instituted the ordinances of water baptism and the Lord’s Supper, both of which are to be observed by believers until He returns (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
We believe by water baptism a believer is publicly identified with his Savior and that infants of believing parents may be dedicated to the Lord but should not be baptized until they can personally articulate their faith and the purpose of baptism.*
For more information about how we view baptism here at Watermark, read our statement on What We Believe About Baptism. You might also want to check out Todd’s sermon entitled Baptism: Why You Should, Why You Shouldn’t & What It’s For.
Secondly, here are some of the principles you should look for as you assess your child’s readiness. Chap Bettis in his great book The Disciple-Making Parent says that salvation and baptism are the first adult decisions in a child's life and that church leaders should look for 3 things in a child wanting to be baptized: regeneration, readiness, and reasoning.
Reasoning: Does the child have an understanding of the gospel and the meaning of baptism? Some specific things we look for:
If your child has expressed interest in baptism on their own initiative, here are some questions you can ask to clarify their readiness:
**Note: You should avoid “yes or no” questions and/or leading questions (i.e. “Do you believe that baptism is a symbolic, public display of your faith in Jesus who saved you?”; “Do you believe that you are a sinner and that Jesus died on the cross to save you from your sins?”). For more on this topic, consider reading 4 Encouragements for Sharing the Gospel with Your Kids.
If after considering the above expectations, you believe that your child is ready for baptism, our team is excited to meet with them to help you confirm that decision. Proverbs 15:22 says, “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” The Watermark Kids team is excited to be a part of the “many advisers” for your family as you process that decision. That process looks like this:
Below is the process or contact for each campus to schedule an interview.
Whether this ends up being the time your child is baptized or not, baptism is always an awesome opportunity for your family to be confronted with the truth of the gospel: that we were once dead in our sins, but we have been raised to new life through faith in Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 6:4)! Make plans to join us for a baptism celebration and be sure to gather around the water with your kids to talk about this amazing picture of the hope we affirm!
For additional thoughts on this topic, see the following: