The second great spiritual, joy-filled duty is to then disciple your child in the way of the faith. This includes everything from understanding central doctrine, applying Scripture, operating with a Christian, biblical worldview, and on and on. It is truly is a lifelong journey.

One of the first points of discipleship is baptism. Acts 2:38 says, “Repent (coming to faith) and be baptized (making a public profession of your faith). Since baptism is not salvific (Mark 16:16 - salvation is through faith alone - Eph 2:8-9), there is no need to rush your child’s baptism. It is far better for the child to understand and appreciate the full significance and meaning of his baptism than to merely go through the motions. Going through the motions is not the point and has no eternal value whatsoever. Having and expressing faith in what the act of baptism represents is what gives meaning and lasting impact to it.

In my own experience with my children, the way our church practices baptism helps us as parents ensure that baptism will remain a special, spiritual marker in the life of our children. In order to be baptized at our church, one must share his/her testimony of faith with the congregation and verbally affirm by declaration that Jesus Christ is Lord! To speak before a group of people is a huge step for anyone - but especially for a child! This helps the child understand just how serious baptism really is. It’s not a fun way to get wet. It’s a public statement that Jesus is your Savior and Lord, that you give your life to Him to live for Him.

So here are the steps I took to prepare my children for baptism. I hope it’s helpful for parents who want to ensure that their children truly appreciate and embrace what baptism is all about.

First, we had to work on their testimonies. If they were going to share their faith with the congregation, they had to be able to explain how and why they were Christians! I did not tell them exactly what to write; I only gave them direction. I shared with them that a testimony is basically a description of your life before Christ, how you came to Christ, and how your life is different now because of Christ. It was a good exercise for them and me! I never pushed them to get it done. I would bring it up occasionally, especially if it came up during our family worship (no better time to talk about important things than when they naturally come up during family worship!) They would work on drafts from time to time and that would allow us to go back over the Gospel, go back over their experience of new birth, and talk about how to express this to others. (BTW - this also trains them how to share their faith!).

Second, I shared with them numerous times about the significance and meaning of baptism. This is so crucial because this is what one is supposed to believe about baptism. The act, in and of itself, does nothing. Faith in what the act means is the point. Baptism visually represents 3 very essential points of our faith. (1) It is a witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Christ on our behalf. (2) It is a witness to the death of our old self and our new life in Christ. (3) It is a portrayal of our hope in the final resurrection and eternal life in Christ. Every phase of the Gospel-past, present, and future-is represented in baptism. When we are baptized, we are proclaiming that this is our faith, this is what we believe, this is what will govern our lives! We went over these points together until they could communicate them back to me. Beyond simply repeating my teaching, I desired to see them own their coming baptism. So as we discussed these points of faith, I would have them talk about what they believe, not what baptism means that a baptismal candidate believes. I wanted to hear them talk in concrete terms about what they believe, not in abstract terms about what someone who is baptized believes.

Third, I would give them some dates to think about but in a patient, when-you-are-ready way. No pushing. I wanted them embrace it, believe it, and boldly proclaim it. The first opportunity came when my parents were here visiting. That would have been an opportune time for us - but it wasn’t for them. They were too nervous. They needed time to get over their nerves and desire the importance of it over and above their nerves. I wanted them to remember making a stand for Christ more than being nervous in front of a crowd. So we waited. The time came later. We recorded it all on my I-phone and sent it to family. It all worked out for the better, especially for our children.

Fourth, I made sure they understood the importance of baptism as it relates to the local church. I spoke with them about how baptism is how they tell the church they are Christians and how the church affirms them as fellow believers. It is a joyful and serious relationship. They are telling other believers that they are believers too. That means the baptized and the church are committing to live for Christ with each other, for each other, and before each other. It is the entrance point into the local church, which means there can be an exit point should their profession prove empty and false with time.

Fifth, I wanted them to view their baptism as a spiritual marker in their lives. The day they drew a line in the sand and went public with their faith!

In order for their baptism to hold the significance in their hearts for which it is meant, I wanted my children to see the connection with the Gospel, the connection with their faith, and the connection with the local church. And that just takes some time.

So be patient. Keep instructing and teaching and illustrating and encouraging until they get it and own it! When they say “I’m ready,” when they are willing to “face the crowd” in order to do this because they want to do it - because they want to follow Christ - it’s time!