4 Year Old Baptism - How to Discuss

Question. If you don't regularly discuss this with your kids and it doesn't seem like a huge part of their life...why are you getting them baptized? Baptism is a choice, and essential to salvation. A 4 year old isn't even mature enough to make that choice. Baptizing him now, doesn't even mean anything, other then a ceremony...it means nothing for his faith. I guess you are Catholic?

Anyway, search amazon. I have seen children's books about baptism before. They lay it out for the kids.

If he does not understand what it means then why do it? I think each persons relationship with god is very personal. JMO.

"...So he can get an idea about God and what exactly this baptism means for him." This doesn't sound like a candidate for baptism. If he doesn't already have "an idea about God" or any ideas of "what exactly this baptism means for him", then I venture to say that this baptism is not for him at all.

Why make that commitment for your child when you aren't even doing it? If you have to tell him what it should mean to him, then it should not be happening.

To answer your query, I think that you should go ahead and give him whatever books you might have in mind and start taking him to church and expose him to the life that you think that a baptism will allow/require. At some point, he will know that baptism is an option, based on what he is learning. Then, he can decide to participate. Or not.

What denomination is this?

Several comments below mention that they are too young and don't understand so there is no point in it, but they obviously follow a denomination that doesn't believe the same things about baptism that denominations that have infant baptism do. For those denominations (that do not believe in infant baptism), it is an act showing a person's faithfulness to God. For those who do believe in the traditional catholic (small c folks) christian church's historic infant baptism, baptism is one of the sacraments, an act of God (not of man) where God places His name on the person being baptised and is the means of giving them faith.

I would suggest that (if you don't already know) you figure out where you stand on this issue of what Baptism is, and when you know that, you will know how to explain to your children.
Best wishes!

I am with Bug and Osohapi.

You are not "clearly behind" on getting your children baptized..they are so young and have no idea yet what the covenant of baptism is about.

We ARE regular Sunday church attenders and our youngest,age 7, is not baptized yet. 8 years old is the youngest age children can choose to be baptized in our faith. All along the way they are taught the Bible stories and taught to grow their own testimony of our Savior.

Is this simply a dedication type ceremony?? More for the parents to publicly dedicate themselves to raising their children in a Christ centered home?

I believe baptism should take place when the child knows what he or she is covenanting to do. If your children aren't ready to "jump in" with a simple children's bible then how are they ready for the commitment a covenant with God means. Baptism means they accept Christ as their Savior and will live by His teachings(which are the bible stories) and will seek repentance when they stray from those teachings.

Maybe wait a while...and jump into those bible stories FIRST. Teach your children first about Christ so that then they will truly want to follow Him with their whole heart..and not just because Mom and Dad had them baptized.

Ask your church's pastor about Bible stories. Do you have a little library in your church that has Bible pamphlets,movies and books? There are non denominational Christian Book Stores in most every town. You are in Los Angeles and I am sure there are a ton of book stores. Even the major book stores have sections for religion.

I think it is wonderful you are looking to increase your children's understanding of our Savior and His teachings.. Way to go Mom!

Do you mean you are getting them dedicated instead of baptized? Dedication is for the parents committing to raise their kids in a Christian home with Christian values. Baptism is the kids themselves deciding to be Christians and live their lives as such so they usually decide on their own when they are older. At least that's what I have always thought. So if you are getting them dedicated, just tell them its a decision you and your husband are making and want to share with the church publicly that you will be raising them this way. Good luck.

I don't have any book recommendations, but do have a funny story, as my two youngest were about the same ages. Mine were going on 5 and 3 years old as I recall. So the Lutheran pastor baptized my son first, on a crowded Sunday morning, with at least 500 people sitting and watching, and I just assumed the next would go along. But no, she saw her brother having water poured on his forehead and she started kicking, and screaming and it totally threw me into a tizzy, because she is rather quiet and never behaves this way. She did not want water on her head. Well, the pastor ends up turning around and telling the congregation that the baptism still counts, even though I doubt he got more than drop on her forehead.

So, you might want to baptize the 2 year old first, just in case he doesn't want to repeat what older brother does.

Why not ask the pastor at the church you are part of? I'm sure he/she has faced this before and can recommend something, and may even have something in his/her study or personal library that you can borrow. That way, you can start with something that aligns with the belief system and practices they espouse, and then you can edit/update/expand to incorporate your own beliefs? I agree that you should deal with the ritual itself and not an entire children's Bible. It's too overwhelming.

After you've done that, you might consider doing a practice run at home, showing each child how the other will be baptized. Acting things out is very helpful for kids, and can ward off the screaming when the water touches them or the desire to run away!!

Try the church library or ask one of the Sunday school teachers or Priest. Congrats!

please don't doubt yourself over people asking why you are doing this. I think it's wonderful.

I don't have any good books so I hope some of the links that others have shared will help you.

in our church I remember the pastor showing the child to the whole congregation and telling the child that these were the people that would help them to know God and to help them be a part of the church community. So would keep it simple and just tell him that the pastor will show him/them to the people in the church and talk about how they will help your kids and then sprinkle some water on them, as a sign of that promise, kind of like a rainbow is a promise too. ( assuming he knows about rainbows) tell him that when the pastor is all done and you sit down ds can wipe it off.

You don't mention what denomination, but this site appears to have several good options for you ...

http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=455...

I agree with those who say to ask the Pastor. Every denomination and sometimes church is a bit different in practice..and some in definition. Make it a special time - enjoy!!!

Isn't this something they are learning about in their church/Sunday school classes? Well maybe not the 2 year old but the 4 year old should have some level of understanding. Speak with his teacher or youth pastor for guidance.