Judeo-Christian values: How to teach Judeo-Christian values (without punishment or force)

Many parents want their children to know Judeo-Christian family values. This is a common want amongst American parents. We as a nation are founded on Judeo-Christian values. Most of our norms and customs as a nation come from Judeo-Christian values. Thus, it is good for children to know those values.

Judeo-Christian values are best modeled to children, not beaten into children. See Ephesians 6:1-4 KJV:

Children, obey your children in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promist; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: bur bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the love and submission of parents. This word ultimately refers to a secure attachment between parent and child in the family home. This secure attachment comes from parent submission, where parents are to submit to their children as they would to God, from beneath yet from above, expecting absolutely nothing in return. See also Matt. 22:35-40. 

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and refers to damages or offenses, namely the slightest of personal offense perceived by a child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by a child, stemming from entitlement. This commandment was intended by the Apostle Paul, and understood in its original context, as a moral statute prohibiting all forms of punitive parenting, including, but not limited to, any punishments, reprimands, or other controlling demeanor. In the Old Testament, punitive parents were put to death by way of bloodletting, after punishing their children one last time - child punishment was seen in biblical times as holding your child hostage merely for things that they did wrong, thereby treating your child as a quartered slave. Paul here was lifting up the Law in order to convict a group of Greek Christian parents who brought their pagan custom of spanking and punishing children into the church. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punishment of a child in his secular writings. Paul may not have gotten along with the women of the church, but he sure loved children, and even took in a few orphaned children during his time as a deacon.

The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and refers to here, in this context, modeling and encouraging Christian discipline in children. The Christian standard of discipline is deserving of absolutely nothing, therefore grateful for absolutely everything, coming from a sinful nature, leading to a chastened up example for children to follow. Christian parents in the Early Church centered their entitlement in view of their children, with children following in their parents' footsteps. Children in biblical times were caught being good, as opposed to being caught being bad. Whenever children were caught showing good traits - such as sharing, being patient, or showing self-control - they were given lavish praise and encouragement by fathers with statements such as "keep headed down the straight path". Boys were given manly praise from fathers when caught being good, whereas girls were given a kiss to the forehead from fathers when caught being good. Children also need religious instruction. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and refers to the instruction of the Lord. Religious instruction started out by leaving out an Aramaic copy of the Hebrew Bible for children to discover and explore. When children were caught reading the Bible, they were showered with lavish praise and encouragement with statements such as "that book is good for you". From there, religious instruction came in the form of question and answer, based off of what children saw in the text of the Bible. Children were eager to learn the facts of life, with fathers being quick to give pointers on the context. 

Religious development is a part of child development, as religion is a human need for children and adults alike. In young children - past age 6 - children develop religious beliefs that are simplistic and non-conforming to any religious denomination or sect. Then, as children grow older, they grow towards a specific religious denomination or sect. It may not be your choice of religion, but at least they have values. If you want to restrict their choices to Christianity, only leave out a Christian Bible. 

What motivates children to hear out the Judeo-Christian values of their father? Why not start out with a secure attachment with mothers? For the first 6 years of childhood, children were in constant closeness with mothers, meaning that wherever the mother went, so did the child. During the first 2 years of childhood, children were constantly held by mothers, either in her loving arms, or on mom's back in a papoose bag when her hands were full. Between ages 2-6, children ranged beside their mothers, following her from room to room, not allowing mothers out of their sight, morbidly fearing that mothers would "go away and never come back". Whenever children cried, mothers were quick to coo at their children before picking them up, before diagnosing the need. Maybe the child was tired. Maybe the child was hungry. Maybe the child needed mom's milk. Maybe the child needed mom, period. Children under age 6, when out and about, were wrapped up next to the bosom of mothers in swaddling blankets, with the swaddling blankets - and the child with them - tucked underneath the loose-fitting, revealing dress worn by mothers that resembled an apron. Come nightfall, children co-slept next to mothers in skin-on-skin format every single night, with co-sleeping ending when the child reached the onset of puberty, which was when children wanted their own place to sleep. Past age 6, children played outside, naked, with children going naked wherever they went. Children played freely when not reading the Bible, exploring the terrain, venturing farther and farther from home. Children, at the end of the day, were called by name and given a nice, warm dinner on a plate.

Judeo-Christian values can be taught to children through attachment parenting. There is no need to beat good values into children. The key tool that a parent can easily rely on is their example. Whenever you see good traits in a child coming from your example, praise and encourage those good traits in them. Same with any good traits found in a child. If you do it right with a child from day one, they likely will grow towards your religious example as well. 

Mothers nurtured from up close, and fathers nurtured from afar. Fathers nurture from afar, in a teaching way that encourages good values. The reason for the distance between fathers and children is a sexual attachment to his children. But, even in the Early Church, fathers could not have their "icing on the cake". Fathers instead dealt with their sexual attachment to their children by way of righteous masturbation. Fathers were usually attracted to daughters, usually in a connotational way, with daughters enjoying being naked for their fathers, as they otherwise were well taken care of. In most cases, fathers used the attraction as a way to supervise their children, and look for any good traits to praise or encourage. When you find children attractive, you notice their every move, and you are vigilant of their welfare. As a father, you might notice them being good, in which case you praise and encourage them. Sexual correction is not a good way to pass down the faith.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to anger through punitive parenting will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast forever 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 day and night forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!