How to impart Judeo-Christian values (the right way)

Many parents in the United States, at some level, want to impart Judeo-Christian family values onto their children. Most parents in America want their children to learn Judeo-Christian family values. This is a common set of values in this country, as America is a Christian country, founded on Judeo-Christian family values. How does one impart these values? Punishment is the last thing you need, meaning punishment won't work. Attachment parenting does work.

The idea is not to model bad traits to your child. The Greek root word denoting entitlement in the New Testament is πλεονέκτης (Latin: pleonektés) and refers, officially, to want from or of children, to the point of imposition, and unofficially to wanting things from children at all. The idea is that when you want something from a child, your should do the opposite of that want, and keep doing it until it becomes a habit, telling yourself that you are not entitled to anything from a child due to your sin nature. Entitlement, or wanting things - including from children - is the core of our sin nature. Children are watching our every move, in order to learn how to behave, so it is good to work on that sin nature.

On the other hand, the Greek root word παιδεία (Latin: paideia) refers to a specific standard of Christian discipline, starting with an admission of one's depraved and entitled sin nature, and ending with the attitude that one is entitled to nothing, and grateful for everything, leading to a chastened up example for children to follow. The idea is to take up this disciplined, non-entitled attitude, and model it to children. See Eph. 6:4.

In order to set a good example, children have to want to follow said example. The centerpiece of an attached Christian parenting relationship is Christian Agape love for children, as denoted by the Greek root word αγαπαο (Latin: agapao), which refers to prioritizing children first, and yourself as a parent last, in a fearful and convicted way leading to dutiful and selfless submission to children and their every vulnerable need, expecting absolutely nothing in return from children or others, with children resting safely and securely in the good works of parents. See Colossians 3:20-21 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the love and grace of parents. This form of respect for parents does not come from fearful compliance, but instead comes from restful trust in parents, with children feeling safe in confiding into parents about anything and everything that is on their mind, including admissions of wrongdoing or non-conforming traits, expecting absolutely no punishment or reprisal in return. Attachment parenting was the established norm in the Bible, and is mandated by customary law. This Greek word is what lifts up the customary law mandating that parents form a secure parent-child bond with their child.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers to damages or abuse, namely child abuse in this context. Child abuse, as defined under biblical law, at minimum, is the slightest of personal offense perceived by the child, including, at minimum, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by the child, coming from entitlement. This commandment, in context, was understood as prohibiting all punitive parenting techniques, including any sort of punishment or controlling demeanor. The Apostle Paul was lifting up the Law on theft and kidnapping in particular, rebuking Greek Christian parents who brought their pagan custom of spanking children into the church. Greek Christian parents were misusing the book of Proverbs to justify their punishment habit even in the 1st Century, when this passage was written. Paul was warning parents in the Colossian church that the rod verses in Proverbs - all seven of them - are repealed verses, and do not refer to raising children, but instead a form of judicial corporal punishment where the father of an errant ADULT son was appointed to issue 40 minus 1 lashes with the rod of correction. This punishment did not exist in the Early Church, with the Early Christians instead using pro-social non-association, with physical punishment only existing as a form of mutual accountability between spouses. Physically punishing a child was unlawful in every instance, no matter how it was done, as was any punishment of a child.

The key to teaching any skill to a child is forming a secure parent-child bond. Forming such a bond requires attachment parenting. Children in biblical times went completely naked wherever they went. Women also were traditionally naked, in the confines of the family home, in order to serve their husband and their children, separately. Mothers snuggled with children in the nude, with children soaking up the rays of skin-to-skin closeness and intimacy with their child.

When children have a strong parent-child bond with parents, borne out of closeness and intimacy, they are more likely to follow the example of parents when they are young adults. Children don't follow the example of parents right away, as children go through their phases of childish behavior, and that's just what they do. All children cry for the same reason a baby cries - they want love! So, give a crying child that loving attention, and live in the moment. In due time, at their own pace, they will develop your habits and follow your example.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke children to anger will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Let them descend into the abyss which is the ever-burning Hell of fire and torment, suffering God's Wrath forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!