Elevation with Steven Furtick Episode: The Power Of The Prompt Date: December 12, 2025

Episode Overview

In “The Power of the Prompt,” Pastor Steven Furtick uses personal stories, biblical examples, and practical prompts to explore how responding to God’s subtle nudges can unlock breakthrough and blessing. As the community prepares for the annual “Game Changer” offering, Furtick challenges listeners to recall spiritual milestones, act on God’s prompts, and embrace both sacrificial giving and generational faith. The episode’s tone is conversational, honest, and full of humor, weaving together pop culture and Old Testament narrative to make timeless spiritual truths accessible and urgent.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction & Set-Up (02:21–08:49)

• Opening Humor & Technology: Furtick jokes about being “jet lagged” from visiting church campuses via cameras, setting a personable, informal tone. (02:21)
• Game Changer Offering: Furtick builds anticipation for the upcoming special offering, clarifying it’s not about guilt or formula but faith and obedience.
• Importance of the Setup: “Any good comedian can tell you that the setup is often more important than the punchline. But there’s nothing funny about the word of God.” (06:00)

Scriptural Foundation & Main Message (08:49–14:38)

• Joshua & the Stones: Furtick reads Joshua 4:19–24, emphasizing how the Israelites set up 12 stones as a memory-triggers for future generations.
  • “Every blessing has a backstory.” (09:44)
• Purpose of Prompts: The stones are not trophies but “triggers” to prompt retelling of God’s works, underlining the need for generational faith.

The Power of Prompts: From Interns to Rocky (14:39–22:36)

• Intern Icebreakers: Furtick describes meeting with church interns and bonding over “The Office” and “Rocky” movies as an example of intergenerational connection.
• Rocky Balboa Analogy:
  • Sylvester Stallone’s story illustrates how life-changing events often begin as subtle prompts.
  • “Everything great I’ve ever seen… started with a prompting.” (20:41)
• Promptings Rarely Feel Grand: Furtick shares how God’s promises are often delivered as simple, quiet nudges to act.

Personal Testimonies—Prompted Stories (22:36–48:00)

Furtick uses “writing prompts” written on Post-it notes, given by interns, to share stories of promptings in his own life:

1. College Roommate on Tithing (22:46–29:22)

   • Roommate Alex’s conviction about mailing his tithe home prompted Furtick to never “keep God’s money” in his bank account.
   • “One of the ways God will prompt you is through the example of somebody else. That’s why I always do the giving…” (28:10)

2. The Big Decision at the Kitchen Table (29:22–38:48)

   • He and his wife Holly gave away their entire emergency fund as a response to God’s prompt, a decision that felt scary but brought peace.
   • Over time, their giving through Elevation exceeded that original amount by “not ten, not a hundred, but a thousand times.”
   • “It’s not about the size of the gift. It’s about the sacrifice.” (35:19)
   • Reminds the audience: “Where your treasure is, your heart will be also.” (36:22)

3. The Silver Bullet of Church Planting (38:48–43:16)

   • Advisor’s suggestion to poach giving from other churches offered a shortcut, but Furtick chose personal sacrifice and integrity.
   • “If we’re going to do God’s work and God’s will, we’ll have to do it God’s way.” (41:33)

4. Generational Faith & Family Testimony (Part of above stories)

   • Furtick shares how he leads his kids in giving and telling stories of God’s faithfulness.
   • Praises the church’s ability to give $40 million to outreach as the fruit of consistent, faith-filled responses to prompts.

5. John the Baptist in the Office (43:16–48:00)

   • A denominational leader (John Butler) offers $300,000 if Furtick will start a new campus. Initially intimidated, Furtick learns:
     • “If you get ahead of God trying to obey him, He’ll just shut the door. If you get behind God and won’t obey Him, He’ll just get somebody else to do it.” (46:30)
   • This story re-emphasizes seizing God-given opportunities, not shrinking in fear.

Practical Application & Invitation (48:00–50:30)

• Prompt as Both Noun and Verb: The idea that a prompt is both a trigger and an immediate invitation: “Prompt, prompt. Yes, God, it’s yours.” (49:00)
• Rejecting Prosperity Gospel Misconceptions: Furtick clarifies, “This is not some name-it, claim-it, blab-it, grab-it. Weird theology… I don’t preach that. Never have, never will.”
• Call to Action: Encourages listeners to ask God, “Would you prompt me to respond to the gospel you’ve freely given me, as I get the opportunity to share it with others?” (49:48)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Every blessing has a backstory.” — Steven Furtick (09:44)

“Everything great I’ve ever seen… started with a prompting.” — Steven Furtick (20:41)

“Learning to respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit is the most crucial skill you could ever acquire in your life.” — Steven Furtick (21:41)

“Where your treasure is, your heart will be also.” — Steven Furtick (36:22)

“If we’re going to do God’s work and God’s will, we’ll have to do it God’s way.” — Steven Furtick (41:33)

“If you get ahead of God trying to obey him, He’ll just shut the door. If you get behind God and won’t obey Him, He’ll just get somebody else to do it.” — John Butler, recounted by Steven Furtick (46:30)

“Prompt, prompt. Yes, God, it’s yours.” — Steven Furtick (49:00)

Important Timestamps

• 02:21 – Furtick’s opening remarks, context for Game Changer offering
• 08:49–14:38 – Joshua 4, the meaning and power of “prompts”
• 14:39–22:36 – Rocky story as illustration of responding to prompts
• 22:46–29:22 – College tithing story and the power of example
• 29:22–38:48 – Giving away the emergency fund and family legacy
• 38:48–43:16 – The “silver bullet” of church planting — risky shortcuts vs. principle
• 43:16–48:00 – John Butler’s “prompt” and responding to opportunity
• 48:00–50:30 – Final call to ask God for promptings, practical application

Flow & Tone

• Conversational and Relatable: Furtick’s style swings from humorous to deeply sincere.
• Story-Driven Faith: Uses film and personal anecdotes to reveal deeper biblical dynamics.
• Generational Perspective: Urges listeners to be both recipients and transmitters of faith and blessing.
• Challenge and Comfort: Listeners are challenged to sacrificial faith yet comforted that God’s faithfulness is primary.

Final Takeaway

Furtick concludes with a call for listeners to pause and ask: “God, would you prompt me?” He emphasizes that God’s promises are experienced in direct proportion to our willingness to respond to these divine nudges—be they about generosity, leadership, or everyday decisions. The power of the prompt, Furtick argues, is that ordinary moments of obedience unlock extraordinary works of God for us and the generations to come.