Anthony, to respond to your comment. I think you’re comparing apples to oranges. The Ethiopian didn’t know the ends and outs of who Jesus was and what he came to do. But, he was truly seeking. He knew enough to know that Jesus was the Messiah, he was the fulfillment of the prophesy that he was reading. His response to was to follow Christ and then get baptized. Most of these kids who spontaneously come forward to be baptized are not like the Ethiopian. They’re either just doing what their parents are asking them to do or they’re seeking baptism becasue the act of baptism intrigues them. In my opinion, they need to be seeking Christ, not baptism. I think almost 100% will once they understand what baptism is and how it fits into the context of everything, but they need to be directed toward that understanding. This can be done through the baptism class or instruction from their parents.

Last of all, when I say I walk out of the baptism class confident that they “got it” I’m referencing that they understand the basics of following Christ. They understand that they’ve sinned, that Christ provides forgiveness and that they have chosen to let Christ lead their life. Last of all, they know they’re getting baptized becasue they follow Christ. There is soooooo much more to our relationship with God. I’ve been a Christ Follower for over 25 years and I’m still learning things about my relationship with him. But, I became a Christ Follower when I chose to follow him, putting him in charge of my life.

To be honest, I’m not a hard nosed kid. I’ve not turned away kids from baptism. I’m just processing how we’ll do this in the future because I am not comfortable being put in this position. I’m so passionate about this because so many teenagers and adults get baptized saying that they didn’t understand what they were doing when they were a kid. When I hold these classes, parents are a part of the process and their equipped to lead their kids spiritually more than they were before the class.

Just my thoughts and my opinions. Keep it coming people. This is good stuff for all of us. I’m more than willing to change my mind, I just haven’t heard a compelling enough reason to yet.

This may be a theological difference, so I’m careful not to go there.
However, I do feel like I can push back on your final paragraph:

“Here’s my sticking point. When I walk out of the baptism class, I walk out knowing that they got it. They really got it. Some parents write on their response form “not sure they have made a decision.” That’s great. At least we know where they stand. Let’s not baptize them yet. Let’s make sure they got it.”

What if baptism is that child’s first step in discovering who Jesus is? Would you be so bold as to deny them a chance to be baptized because their parents aren’t sure that the child “got” it from your class?

Anthony Princes last blog post..Orange Recap: Training Events for Small Group Leaders

What are we as parents doing to help them grow even closer to Christ? We can’t (and shouldn’t) ever assume that once someone has been baptized (adult OR child) that faith and the search for Christ ends there. Why aren’t we teaching EVERYONE “My heart says of you, ‘seek his face’, your face Lord, I will seek” – Psalm 27?

I don’t know where everyone who reads this lives, but Austin Christ followers are sometimes seen as “Consumer Christians” because we aren’t hungry and chasing after God with all our hearts, minds, and souls. Most ADULTS aren’t even doing this so it’s no surprise that children leave their faith once they move on to college.

I don’t know what will happen to my children once they leave my home. I know I pray that they will have an all consuming fire inside them to seek the face of Chrsit all of their lives. I know I try to train them in the ways of our Father, and I know we try to model God’s love to them. That doens’t mean they won’t abandon their faith, too once they leave. But I do know that right now they all love and trust Jesus. They already think he lives in their hearts and that he is the King of the universe. They know that even mommy and daddy have to obey him and my prayer is that God has laid a solid foundation for each of them.

I so hear your struggle, Kenny. I still think there isn’t a one answer that fits all. I guess you just take it case by case. I know for us, Reagan already thought Jesus lived in his heart and that he was our King. He doesn’t know a time in his live when Jesus wasn’t in his heart or that we have to live according to his teachings. That still doesn’t protect my son from the temptations of this world. Teenagers (as well as adults who have spent their whole lives in church) adandon their faith for all kinds of reasons. Is that ONE child out of 100 (or whatever the number is) who really does “get it” and who really was called by the Holy Spirit not enough? I dunno, it’s a tuff call.

I believe the word of God is alive and active. I believe that even if Reagan (or my other children) does leave his faith that God promises “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

great discussion!

Karins last blog post..Open Handed II