To arrange a 1-on-1 Pre-Baptism session for your child, contact the Elementary Director, Lorrie Osuna

Transcription

1 If your child has been asking questions about their faith, relationship with Jesus or baptism, now is the perfect time to engage in a conversation with them and to help lead them to the answers. This booklet will help you walk your child through the BASIC STEPS of BAPTISM. As you work through the booklet, it is important to be available to assist your child, but remembering it is THEIR faith and THEIR baptism. They need to be able to understand and complete the booklet. To arrange a 1-on-1 Pre-Baptism session for your child, contact the Elementary Director, Lorrie Osuna. losuna@thecrossing.com Sessions are available for elementary aged children, accompanied by parent(s). Classes will be by appointment only and are required for child baptisms.

2 Baptism Basic Steps for Baptism does not make you a believer; it shows that you are already one! Baptism does not save you, only your faith and belief in Jesus does that. Baptism is the outside symbol of an inside change that has gone on in you. That is why, STEP 1 to Baptism is: Step 1: I know I have been saved by Jesus Put into your own words how you know that you are saved. When did it happen? How did it happen? How are you different because it happened? What Bible verse helps you know that you are saved? If you cannot complete this part of Step 1, skip to the Getting Right With God section where you can review what it means to be saved and why it is the FIRST STEP to complete before getting baptized. Once you can complete STEP 1, then you can move on to STEP 2. Page - 2 -

3 Baptism Basic Steps Baptism is a way to show God and others the change in your heart that has happened because you have been saved by Jesus. That is why, STEP 2 to Baptism is: Step 2: I want everyone to know I have been saved by Jesus Put into your own words why you want to be baptized. What does it mean to God? What does it mean to you? What does it mean to others? What Bible verse helps you know that Baptism is part of God s plan for you? If you cannot complete this part of Step 2, skip to the What is Baptism? section where you can review what it means to be baptized and why it is a part of God s plan for you as a believer and follower of Jesus. Page - 3 -

4 GETTING RIGHT WITH GOD - Part 1 Question 1: Why do I need to be SAVED? The Bible tells us that every person is totally separated from God by a thing called sin. Sin is simply disobeying God. Since God is sinless, He cannot be around sin, or people with sin (which is every one of us). We have to be perfect to be with God. The problem is that we cannot be perfect, it is impossible. Use your Bible to look up and read: Romans 3:23-25 This is where Jesus comes in. God knew that there was no possible way that we could ever be perfect. Knowing that we could not erase even one sin on our own, He loved us so much that He sent His Son Jesus into the world. Since Jesus never sinned, He did not have to die. But, He still chose to die on the cross for the sins of all people anyway. He became the perfect sacrifice for all our sins, and God accepted His death for our sins as payment in full! Use your Bible to look up and read: John 3:16-17 Think of it this way. Jesus became the bridge between us and God. It is only through what He did that we can ever be with God. Use your Bible to look up and read: John 14:6 All you have to do is accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord and then live for Him. That brings you to your next question. Question 2: How Do I Accept Jesus? The Bible reveals 3 steps. Think of them as the Jesus ABC s A Admit You are a Sinner. Tell God that you know you are a sinner and that you need His help. Admit that You need Him to save you and that you cannot save yourself from what will happen because of sin. The Bible says the wages (the price we pay) for sin is death. [Romans 6:23] B Believe in Jesus. Believe with all your heart, soul, mind and body that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, He was buried, and rose again. Have faith in the truth that He was the perfect, sinless, sacrifice who was punished and died in your place, so that you could have a forever life with God. C Confess and Choose to let Jesus be the Leader of your life. Tell Him what is troubling your heart. Tell Him the things that you need help with so that you can turn away from your old way of thinking and acting. Ask for and receive His free gift of forgiveness so that you can be-reborn as a child of God. Use your Bible to look up and read: 1 John 1:9 Romans 10:9-10 Ephesians 2:8-9 Page - 4 -

5 GETTING RIGHT WITH GOD - Part 2 What are the A, B, C s you must do to invite Jesus into your heart as Savior? Go ahead and fill in the blanks with the Jesus - ABC s A = B = C = Have you ever done the ABC s? Yes or No If you answered YES, when did you do it? Who knows that you did it? How did you feel after you did it? How are you different than before you did the ABC s? If you answered NO, and you want to do the Jesus-ABC s right now, pray these words out loud with your whole heart: Dear God, I admit I am a sinner and I need You. I believe Jesus died and rose again for my sins. I confess all my sins to you and ask your forgiveness. I choose Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of my life. Thank You for saving me and offering me your free gift of salvation. I accept and receive your gift and know that I will have an eternal life with You in heaven. In Jesus' name, Amen. If you have been able to complete this page, CONGRATULATIONS!!! You are ready to go back and fill in STEP 1 and then move to STEP 2. If you are not ready to complete this page, don t be upset or worry. God knows your heart and will be waiting for you when you are ready. Keep on praying and talking to God. He will help you get ready and you will know when you are ready to complete this page. Page - 5 -

6 WHAT IS BAPTISM? - Why should I get wet and what does the Bible say about it? Question 1: Just what is baptism? The process of baptism is actually really simple. You began by standing, sitting or kneeling in some water. Another believer (follower of Jesus) holds you and lowers you into and under the water and then brings you right back up out of the water. The word Baptism actually comes from the Greek word baptizo which means to immerse or dip under water. So just think of it as being dipped - just like you would dip your cookie in milk and pull it back out. Even Jesus himself was baptized to show us how and why it should be done. Use your Bible to look up and read: Matthew 3:16-17 Question 2: Does getting baptized mean I get to go to heaven? Just being baptized does not get you into heaven. There is only one way to heaven and that is by having a relationship with Jesus. By having faith and belief that He is the only one who can save you and make you right with God is how you get into heaven. Use your Bible to look up and read: John 5:24 Question 3: Why should I be baptized? When you chose to be baptized it is your way of showing everyone that you have chosen to be a true believer and follower of Jesus. And, when you have made the choice to be a follower of Jesus, you want to follow His lead. You should want to do the things that help you be more and more like Him. You want to show that you are becoming the new you; the new creation that God has planned for you to become. Use your Bible to look up and read: 2 Corinthians 5:17 Question 4: When should I be baptized? The time to get baptized is when you have made the decision to believe in Jesus. When you have accepted Jesus as your savior and when you have chosen to let Him be the leader of your life. When you are ready to GO PUBLIC and tell everyone, I am a believer and follower of Jesus. Use your Bible to look up and read: Acts 8:12 Question 5: Are you a believer and follower of Jesus? Are you ready to tell everyone? If you can answer YES to that question, then you are ready to be baptized!!! Now, go back to STEP 2 and complete that section. If you are not ready to complete this page, don t be upset or worry. God knows your heart and will be waiting for you when you are ready. Keep on praying and talking to God. He will help you get ready and you will know when you are ready to complete this page. Page - 6 -