Joel Osteen Podcast – “Trust God’s Timing” (Dec 25, 2025) Episode Summary
Main Theme
In this episode, Joel Osteen delivers an inspirational message centered on the importance of pursuing and restoring “prodigals”—people who have drifted away from faith, church, or a sense of purpose. Emphasizing compassion over condemnation, Joel calls listeners to actively reach out, encourage, and gently restore those who feel lost, highlighting God’s heart for the “one sheep” who is missing. The episode is filled with personal stories, biblical illustrations, and practical motivation to help others find new beginnings.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Call to Go After Prodigals [03:15]
- Joel explains that many people, once passionate about faith and involvement, have fallen away due to discouragement, mistakes, or hardship.
- Citing the book of James, he emphasizes personal responsibility: “We have to go after the prodigals. We have to go after the people that have fallen away. It’s not enough to just think, I wish they were here.” [04:15]
- The approach is not correction or condemnation, but love: “Just tell them three simple things: We miss you, we need you, and we love you.” [05:00]
2. The Power of Simple Outreach [06:00]
- Joel shares a moving personal story about reconnecting with a high school friend who drifted after hardship. Through a determined effort to track him down, Joel’s encouragement and affirmation led his friend and family back to church and renewed involvement in life.
- Quote: “All it took was one phone call. Just a little bit of effort, a little time, a little energy. And what happened? A prodigal came back home.” [08:30]
- The main insight: Small acts of caring can be pivotal turning points for others.
3. The Biblical Basis: The Lost Sheep [10:30]
- Joel recounts Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep: the shepherd leaves 99 to find the one.
- “That tells me we should be looking, not necessarily at who’s in church each week, but who’s not here.” [12:10]
- Everyone is encouraged to “pastor” their own informal flock—watching for those missing, discouraged, or off course, and checking in on them.
4. Stories of Restoration [15:00]
- Historical Example: Mr. Kimball & D.L. Moody
- Mr. Kimball, a Sunday school teacher, noticed a boy missing and went to great lengths to find him. That boy—D.L. Moody—became one of the most influential ministers in the 1800s.
- “The real question today is, who are we missing?” [16:40]
- Personal Insight: “You are the church. They are a part of your flock.” [13:45]
5. The “Sic ‘Em” Mentality [18:30]
- Joel shares a humorous but meaningful analogy about his childhood dog, Scooter, who sprang into action at the word “sic ‘em.”
- The takeaway: Pursue lost people with passion and determination: “The word I want us to get in our spirit today is not profound, it’s not theological… That word is sic ’em.” [19:10]
- “Our attitude should be, I’m on a mission from God. If you’re a prodigal, you better watch out. You’re on dangerous ground. I’ve got you in my sights.” [20:00]
6. Planting Seeds & God’s Timing [22:00]
- Joel encourages persistence, even if outreach doesn’t seem to be working. “You’re never wasting time going after a prodigal. The seeds are going in.” [22:45]
- He recounts his mother’s prayers for years for singer Bill Nash, whose return to faith came unexpectedly but powerfully due to that patient, gentle involvement.
7. Restoration Without Condemnation [25:00]
- Joel quotes Galatians 6:1: “You who are mature are to gently restore those that have fallen away.”
- He cautions against condemnation or a “holier than thou” attitude: “We’re not supposed to condemn people, belittle people, make a spectacle of them. That’s going to drive them further away. It says, gently restore.” [25:20]
- Instead, offer the goodness and mercy of God: “The scripture says it’s the goodness of God that leads people to repentance.” [26:10]
8. The Transforming Power of Affirmation [27:55]
- Joel shares another story of calling a downcast minister just to say, “We miss you. We need you. We love you.” That simple affirmation rekindled purpose and led the minister back into fruitful service.
- Quote: “To you, it may seem insignificant, but when people know you care, it breathes new hope back into their spirit.” [28:20]
9. Final Challenge and Promise [29:05]
- Joel concludes with a stirring challenge: “If you’ll make it your business to take care of God’s children, God will make it his business to take care of you and your children.” [29:35]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Just tell them three simple things: We miss you, we need you, and we love you.” [05:00]
- “All it took was one phone call... A prodigal came back home.” [08:30]
- “You are the church. They are a part of your flock. Reach out to them.” [13:45]
- “The word I want us to get in our spirit today... is sic ’em.” [19:10]
- “You’re never wasting time going after a prodigal. The seeds are going in.” [22:45]
- “It’s the goodness of God that leads people to repentance.” [26:10]
- “If you’ll make it your business to take care of God’s children, God will make it his business to take care of you.” [29:35]
Important Timestamps
- [03:15] – Introduction of the theme: Going after prodigals
- [06:00] – Joel’s story about a lost friend and a life-changing phone call
- [10:30] – Jesus' parable of the lost sheep, with practical application
- [15:00] – The story of Mr. Kimball and D.L. Moody
- [18:30] – The “sic ’em” analogy and passionate calling
- [22:00] – Sowing seeds and the principle of persistent prayer and outreach
- [25:00] – How to restore gently without condemnation
- [27:55] – Story of encouraging a discouraged minister
- [29:05] – Final challenge and promise to listeners
Tone and Style
Joel Osteen’s tone throughout is warm, encouraging, humorous at times, and deeply compassionate—emphasizing hope, restoration, and the practical outworking of faith through relationships.
For Listeners New to the Episode
If you haven’t listened, this episode will leave you with practical encouragement to look beyond your immediate circle, to notice who’s missing, and to take simple, loving actions—like a phone call, text, or visit—that could make a profound difference in someone’s life and faith journey.
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