April is an exciting month for our family this year. We’re entrusted with the blessing of sponsoring another Godchild. I looked at my pictures a year ago from the day the baptism will be and found this picture. It’s my child, listening to God’s Word shared by Pastor Gashchler. It’s amazing to look back and see how much my child has learned. I’m excited for our new Godchild to learn more about his faith each and every day too.
Baptism is a Sacrament. It provides forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Baptismal sponsors are like accountability partners for parents. Parents are the primary teachers of faith to their children. Parents are statistically the biggest influencers in a child’s life, both in faith and other areas in life. Some children do pick up teachings and behaviors from other places, but often children want to imitate parents. We, as children of God, should desire to be imitators of our Father in heaven.
Parents can teach their child about Jesus by reading their Bible in front of their child, reading the Bible to their child, praying with their child, singing hymns or Christian songs with their child, doing devotions as a family, attending worship services together, serving others together, and more. The book Sticky Faith for Families is a great way to get ideas on how a family can grow in faith together. A major way parents can teach their child about faith is by bringing their child to the waters of Holy Baptism.
Jesus calls for all believers to be baptized. Baptism is God’s Word combined and working with the water and the faith that trusts God’s promises. It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe. By daily repentance of our sins we should be a new person in Christ. We should continue to grow in our faith by seeking God in His Word and Sacraments. Parents have the responsibility to teach their child about God. Baptismal sponsors are to hold those teaching the faith accountable. It’s a big responsibility for both the parents and sponsors.
Thankfully, we have God’s help. God gives us the blessings of pastors and the Church to help support parents and others. He gives us His Word and Sacraments to help us grow in faith. He also gives us His Holy Spirit. He continually blesses us in many ways.
My husband and I are excited to attend the baptism of our newest Godchild. We can’t wait to see him receive new life in Christ. We are excited to watch and support his parents as they continually teach him and his brother about Jesus. We love seeing the faith God works in all of our Godchildren, children, and others we love.
