The weight of the word \u201cfatherless\u201d just captures the mind to weigh the depths of being without a father in society where the father is a major aspect of your natural development. What is my heritage from my father? Fatherless to the extent no Father\u2019s Day cards are created as a child, no birthday or Christmas gifts made or purchased, no advice about dating, no college or career advice in high school, and that key male figure God intended to help shape a child into a person that follows after God is not there. The father\u2019s exhortation is highlighted in Scripture as a common occurrence. The fatherless child does have the Christian father option to encourage their spiritual formation, a void that has to be filled by the mother but also Christian men that can mentor the child.
Jody Dean<\/strong>, Ph.D., leads the extension center program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He has a book being released Spring 2018 entitled: Together We Equip: Integrating Discipleship and Ministry Leadership for Holistic Spiritual Formation<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Dr. Jody Dean<\/p>\n