Fathered by God

In Fathered by God, John Eldredge invites men on a journey of masculine initiation led by the one Father who never fails—God Himself. Eldredge outlines a path to authentic manhood that has been carved by generations of men before us. This isn’t a formula—it’s a process. One shaped by experience, struggle, and the intentional fathering of God at every stage.

Drawing from Scripture, personal stories, and decades of mentorship, Eldredge offers hope, clarity, and direction for men seeking to discover themselves.

Why this book matters

Many men feel unsure of what it really means to be a man—and even more have never been intentionally fathered. Without guidance, it’s easy to get stuck in perpetual adolescence or become a man defined by performance or passivity.

Fathered by God helps readers:

• Understand the stages of masculine development from boyhood to sage

• Recognize where they may have become stuck, and how to move forward

• Learn how God actively fathers us through every season

• Find healing from wounds left by absent or broken fathering

• Step into strength, purpose, and spiritual maturity

These themes are brought to life in the Fathered by God Video Series and Wild At Heart Retreats.

What you’ll discover in Fathered by God

• The six stages of a man’s journey – Beloved Son, Cowboy, Warrior, Lover, King, and Sage

• The masculine soul: How each stage shapes a man’s heart, strength, and spiritual identity

• The Father’s guidance – How God meets us uniquely in each season to grow us into wholeness

• Healing and progression – What it looks like to move forward, even if past stages were missed or damaged

John Eldredge also explores the masculine journey in Wild at Heart and Killing Lions (written with his son, Sam).

Who should read this book?

This book is for:

• Men of all ages who feel stuck or unsure of their identity

• Fathers wanting to guide their sons with wisdom and clarity

• Mentors, pastors, and counselors who work with men and young adults

• Anyone seeking to understand the masculine soul and God’s role in shaping it

For women seeking to better understand the journey of the men in their lives, Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge is a powerful complement.

Fathered by God as a group study for churches & small groups
Many churches and men’s groups use Fathered by God as a cornerstone resource for masculine discipleship. Its structure naturally supports small group discussion, mentorship, and personal transformation.

Why use this for a church or group study?

• Introduces a framework for lifelong masculine growth

• Fosters intergenerational mentorship and honesty among men

• Offers clarity and healing around wounds from absent or broken fathering

• Helps men see God as an active, present, loving Father

The origin of Fathered by God

John Eldredge wrote this book after years of counseling men and realizing the absence of fathering was one of the most defining and damaging themes in their lives.

Drawing from his personal journey and spiritual discovery, Eldredge created a model for masculine growth—one grounded not in performance, but in receiving God’s fathering over time.

Becoming the Man You Were Meant to Be

Fathered by God continues the mission that began with Wild at Heart—calling men into strength, healing, and purpose.

Where Wild at Heart speaks to the core desires of a man’s soul, Fathered by God maps the journey of becoming, stage by stage. It offers every man a path forward, no matter his past.
To go deeper, watch the Fathered by God Video Series or attend a Wild at Heart men’s retreat.