How to teach kids the meaning of baptism
- Eljoh Hartzer, MTh
- 11 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Baptism is one of the more difficult concepts in Christianity to explain to younger children. While it's a crucial part of every believer's walk with the Lord - How do we teach kids the meaning of baptism?
Even as someone with over a decade's experience leading kids ministry and a Master's in the field, a topic like baptism is still a challenging one to approach with kids.
This post shows you exactly what to do (and what not to do). The methodical approach given here can be applied by parents at home or a Sunday school teacher. The program elements include a name game, memory verse, lesson, Q&A, prayer, and 5 craft ideas.
May you find space here to pause, reflect, and abide.
Vine Creative Studio holds a collection of what I like to call 'encounter tools', resources connecting hearts with Jesus. You're welcome to try one out with my free Coloring page on the Fishes & Loaves Miracle.
How to explain baptism to kids?
Some keywords to focus on when teaching about baptism are:
new | spirit | Jesus | John | water | old life | new life | dove
Avoid These Common Mistakes
Don't tell children baptism alone saves them.
Don't get into theological details unnecessarily.
Don't rush through the symbolism.
Don't separate baptism from following Jesus.
Don't baptise kids without parents' permission.
Don't assume every child understands church vocabulary.
Baptism is a difficult concept for kids to grasp since it's a public declaration of an inward decision (it's kind of like a metaphor). I once realized that the kids in our church thought every person drowned when they went to get baptized because we kept saying Christianese stuff like 'they die to themselves' - I had to explain, and suppress my smile, that the water does not hurt anybody, but it is something spiritual that happens.
This is a funny story now but it just goes to show how much our careful attention to these things matters. Kids are listening to every word we say, and without guidance they will misinterpret it. Baptism is crucial and key, but also super complex and challenging for kids.
If I had to teach a Sunday school lesson today on baptism, this is how I'd do it:
Baptism Sunday School Lesson:
Welcome guys,
today we're learning the meaning of baptism. *We were buried with Jesus and we get to live a new life with Him.
Name Game:
Have each kid state their name & tell you about the last time they went swimming or were in water...
Memory verse*:
Romans 6:4 (ERV)
"When we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and took part in his death. And just as Christ was raised from death by the wonderful power of the Father, so we can now live a new life."
add an action to each idea
repeat it x3 throughout the program
make it fun
For example:
When we were baptized | Point to each other |
We were buried with Christ... | Lay down on the ground |
And just as Christ was raised... | Jump up |
So we can now live a new life | Clap hands |
Teach kids the meaning of baptism
Lesson:
Jesus told us how to live when He was on the Earth. He got baptized and He also told us to do the same.
Matthew 28:19–20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
What is baptism? Why did Jesus say that someone who follows Him needs to be baptized?
Let's read our memory verse passage:
– Romans 6:3-9 --- “...So when we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and took part in his death. And just as Christ was raised from death by the wonderful power of the Father, so we can now live a new life. ... We know that our old life was put to death on the cross with Christ. This happened so that our sinful selves would have no power over us. Then we would not be slaves to sin. ... If we died with Christ, we know that we will also live with him Christ was raised from death.“
Baptism is an outward action that we take based on what God does inside our hearts.
When someone is lowered into the water, they lay themselves down.
Their old life and sins stay behind in the water...
Just like Jesus was raised from the dead, the person rises from the water into new life.
We baptise in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
It's a public declaration, saying: "I belong to God"
Q&A
Q: Why do people get baptized?
A: The Bible tells us to do it. Jesus did it. They want to show everybody that they choose God.
Q: What does baptism mean?
A: It's saying "I belong to God"
Q: What happens under the water?
A: The water does not hurt the person or kill them. They do not drown. Nothing happens, but spiritually something happens. The person rises with Jesus.
Q: When should you get baptized?
A: After you've spoken to your parent or guardian. When you want to make a decision for Jesus forever.
Prayer
(Repeat after me)
Dear God,
thank You for baptism.
It is a gift from You.
We celebrate with Heaven today.
We get a new life in Jesus.
Amen.
Bonus Baptism Activity: Act it out
Something I also like doing when working with groups of kids on baptism Sunday is "acting out" what baptism looks like - Someone comes forward, I place my hand on their shoulder and say a prayer, then I gently lower them, they rise back up, and everyone applauds. That way, we practice baptism.
It sounds silly but I've found it really helps them feel more comfortable when they see it happen in front of their eyes later. I believe baptism Sunday is one of those times when kids should be in the service.
Bonus Baptism Activity: See how water transforms
One object lesson for baptism that I did that was a huge hit was the use of 'magic grow capsules'. They contain a compressed foam or sponge shape hidden inside a soluble gelatin shell. I taught the kids about the transformative waters of baptism and then invited them to toss these pill-shaped things into water. The kids were delighted when the pills transformed in front of their eyes into sponge animals. A great illustration of an otherwise difficult concept to teach to kids...
5 craft ideas
The 5 baptism craft ideas are explained in this post - each one captures an important element of baptism that can help a child's understanding grow. I would not suggest teaching about baptism without a tangible element, so I'd strongly suggest you read that next.
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