Baptism

The beginning of your life in the body of Christ.

In baptism, God names you, claims you, brands you as a part of the herd and adopts you into an eternal relationship.

Titus 3:4-7

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Brands

• What makes a brand a brand?

• Why do people pick branded items over generic items? How much more do you pay for a name brand than a generic item?

• How is baptism like a brand? What does it show? What is it worth?

• Why do ranchers brand their animals?

• Why do some people get tattooed?

• What do brands and tattoos tell you?

• How is baptism like both?

How does this scene relate to baptism? How does it not?

The Parent’s Promise

• What do parents promise in baptism?

• What is the parent’s role in keeping those promises?

• How can the church help parents keep their promises?

• What happens when parents don’t keep their promises to God?

Baptism

• Being marked with God’s brand

• Becoming a child of God through adoption into Christ’s family

• A special sacramental washing away of sins and rising to new life in Christ

• Being washed, sprinkled or immersed in water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit