Join The Journey

Latest Episodes:

S5:038 — Women in the early church (Acts 16:1-15, Part 2) Jul 15, 2026

Show notes

What is the role of women in the book of Acts? What does the role of women in Acts teach us about how God builds his kingdom? In this episode, Emma Dotter surveys the role of women in the book of Acts, including women who prophecy, pray, and lead in the early church . She shares how women (and men) are full participants in Christ’s mission.

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED:

Acts 1: 14; Acts 2: 17-18; Joel 2; Acts 5; Acts 8-9; Acts 9: 39; Acts 12: 12-13; Acts 16: 13, 16, 18, 40; Acts 17: 4, 12; Acts 18: 18, 26; Romans 16: 3; Acts 21: 5, 9; Acts 24: 24; 25: 13; 26: 30

// RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:

Women in Acts: Women’s Role in the Birth of the Church (https://www.logos.com/grow/min-women-in-acts/)

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:

“S4:263 – Introduction to the book of Acts” (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...)

// WHAT IS JOIN THE JOURNEY?

Join The Journey is a realistic daily Bible reading plan that helps followers of Jesus at Watermark Community Church and beyond enjoy abiding in Jesus together. Join The Journey Jr. is designed to help parents guide their kids in Bible reading through interactive and age-specific lessons. In 2026, we’re studying the book of Acts—one passage per week. For another year, teaching on Sunday will align with each week’s passage. Then, for the next six days, we’ll return to the same passage with fresh focus, exploring insights about who God is and how we can enjoy him more deeply. Monday through Saturday, we’ll approach the same passage from a different perspective each day—whether observation, interpretation, prayer, or another spiritual practice—to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for God’s Word. Then, watch or listen to the video podcast to tackle the week's toughest verses and discover key historical, theological, and practical insights.

Daily Bible lessons for adults: https://jointhejourney.com
Daily Bible lessons for parents and families: https://jointhejourney.com/jr
Weekly Bible podcast for kids: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

// MORE RESOURCES FROM JOIN THE JOURNEY:

Digital Bible study resources: https://jointhejourney.com/resources
Previous years’ print curriculum: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Waterma...
Contact the Join The Journey team: jointhejourney@watermark.org

S5:037 — Names of the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:1-15, Part 1) Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

Who is the Holy Spirit? What are the names of the Holy Spirit? What do these names reveal? In this episode, Emma Dotter explores Acts 16:1-15 and answers these questions. She uses the name, “Spirit of Jesus,” to help listeners understand the different dimensions of the same Person. She teaches how the names of the Holy Spirit reveal something about his nature and work and encourages listeners to examine their own posture toward the Holy Spirit.

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED:

Acts 5: 3-4; Ephesians 4: 30; Genesis 1: 2; Genesis 2; John 3; Titus 3: 5; Romans 8: 16; John 16: 14

// RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:

Visit GotQuestions: (https://www.gotquestions.org/names-Holy-Spirit.html)

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:

“S5:002 Acts 2:1-21 – Who is the Holy Spirit? Why is the church divided?” (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s5-002-acts-2-1-21-who-is-the-holy-spirit-why-is/id1600151923?i=1000744971794)
“S4:263 – Introduction to the book of Acts” (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...)
“S4:269 – Acts 15-17” (https://open.spotify.com/episode/3NShJvbx2EPozwMwxJq2Hm?si=98ac89d64476429c)

// WHAT IS JOIN THE JOURNEY?

// MORE RESOURCES FROM JOIN THE JOURNEY:

Prayer S5:029 Acts 16:1-15 Jul 12, 2026

Show notes

"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 15:36-41. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things: for the next generation ministries of Watermark, our international missions team, ministries to women and future Lydias that are being raised in our church. If you would like to submit a prayer request to the Watermark prayer team, you can do so at https://www.watermark.org/prayer You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6SG7aaE1ZjjFkgB34G8zp3?si=c960a63736904665 Check out the Join The Journey Website for today's devotional and more resources! https://www.jointhejourney.com/ Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Watermark-Community-Church/author/B0BRYP5MQK?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1755623322&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=8aeeec3b-6c1c-416d-87ae-5dfbbb6981df"

S5:036 — Unpacking Paul’s Missionary Journeys (Acts 15:36-41, Part 2) Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

What are Paul’s missionary journeys? Why are they important to us today? What can we learn from Paul’s missionary journeys? In this episode, Emma Dotter gives an overview of Paul’s three missionary journeys throughout Acts. She shares how God used these journeys strategically, intentionally, and powerfully to move the gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED:

Acts 1: 8; Acts 13:1-14:28; Acts 15:36-18:22; Acts 18:23-21:17

// RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:

“Great Days Ahead | Acts 13:1-12 | Timothy Ateek” (https://www.watermark.org/message/13362-great-days-ahead)

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:

“S4:263 – Introduction to the book of Acts” (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...)
“S4:269 – Acts 15-17” (https://open.spotify.com/episode/3NShJvbx2EPozwMwxJq2Hm?si=98ac89d64476429c)
“Episode 204: Acts 15” (https://open.spotify.com/episode/1C4nPaR3RZjQlAN7nYyAX6?si=2d16480ac3b34d66)

// WHAT IS JOIN THE JOURNEY?

// MORE RESOURCES FROM JOIN THE JOURNEY:

S5:035 — Can followers of Jesus disagree? (Acts 15:36-41, Part 1) Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

Is it okay for followers of Jesus to disagree? Why did Paul and Barnabas disagree? How can we face disagreement with another follower of Jesus in a way that honors them and God? In this episode, Emma Dotter unpacks Acts 15:36-41 and answers the question, “How do we disagree in a way that protects both truth and love?” She gives listeners questions to consider when walking through disagreement with another believer and how to invite God into it.

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED:

Acts 13: 13; Colossians 4: 10; James 1

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:

“S4:263 – Introduction to the book of Acts” (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...)
“S4:269 – Acts 15-17” (https://open.spotify.com/episode/3NShJvbx2EPozwMwxJq2Hm?si=98ac89d64476429c)
“Episode 204: Acts 15” (https://open.spotify.com/episode/1C4nPaR3RZjQlAN7nYyAX6?si=2d16480ac3b34d66)

// WHAT IS JOIN THE JOURNEY?

// MORE RESOURCES FROM JOIN THE JOURNEY:

Prayer S5:028 Acts 15:36-41 Jul 05, 2026

Show notes

"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 15:36-41. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things: that we would be careful and gracious in how we communicate, that we would listen to the Spirit, and that we would be eager to seek peace and reconciliation with whom we are in conflict. If you would like to submit a prayer request to the Watermark prayer team, you can do so at https://www.watermark.org/prayer You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6SG7aaE1ZjjFkgB34G8zp3?si=c960a63736904665 Check out the Join The Journey Website for today's devotional and more resources! https://www.jointhejourney.com/ Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Watermark-Community-Church/author/B0BRYP5MQK?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1755623322&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=8aeeec3b-6c1c-416d-87ae-5dfbbb6981df"

S5:034 – End times views: amillennialism and dispensationalism (Acts 15:1-35, Part 2) Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

What do the end times have to do with Acts 15? Why does James quote Amos 9? What are the differing views of the end times? In this episode, Emma Dotter explores Acts 15:1-35 and James’s use of Amos 9. She discusses two views of the end times, dispensationalism and amillennialism.

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED:

Amos 9; Genesis 12; Acts 10; 11

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:

“S4:263 – Introduction to the book of Acts” (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...)
“S4:269 – Acts 15-17” (https://open.spotify.com/episode/3NShJvbx2EPozwMwxJq2Hm?si=98ac89d64476429c)
“Episode 204: Acts 15” (https://open.spotify.com/episode/1C4nPaR3RZjQlAN7nYyAX6?si=2d16480ac3b34d66)
“S4:216 – Amos 6-9” (https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ZygHfOv7owDr2SfXvjIJY?si=3a1bddce45144956)

// WHAT IS JOIN THE JOURNEY?

// MORE RESOURCES FROM JOIN THE JOURNEY:

S5:033 – What was the Jerusalem Council? (Acts 15:1-35, Part 1) Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Why is the Jerusalem Council so significant? What is required for salvation? In this episode, Emma Dotter discusses Acts 15:1-35 and the influence of the Jerusalem Council. She unpacks how the Jerusalem Council protected the true gospel, opened the door for global Christianity, and modeled how the Church handled theological conflict.

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED:

Mark 7; Luke 18; John 3: 16; John 6: 29; Matthew 28: 19; Acts 1: 8; Acts 10; Acts 13-14

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:

“S4:263 – Introduction to the book of Acts” (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...)
“S4:269 – Acts 15-17” (https://open.spotify.com/episode/3NShJvbx2EPozwMwxJq2Hm?si=98ac89d64476429c)
“Episode 204: Acts 15” (https://open.spotify.com/episode/1C4nPaR3RZjQlAN7nYyAX6?si=2d16480ac3b34d66)

// WHAT IS JOIN THE JOURNEY?

// MORE RESOURCES FROM JOIN THE JOURNEY:

Prayer S5:027 Acts 15:1-35 Jun 28, 2026

Show notes

"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 15:1-35. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things: for protection against false doctrine of our day, for courage and clarity when we are faced wtih false truth, and that we would be a people marked by the joy of the Lord. If you would like to submit a prayer request to the Watermark prayer team, you can do so at https://www.watermark.org/prayer You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6SG7aaE1ZjjFkgB34G8zp3?si=c960a63736904665 Check out the Join The Journey Website for today's devotional and more resources! https://www.jointhejourney.com/ Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Watermark-Community-Church/author/B0BRYP5MQK?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1755623322&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=8aeeec3b-6c1c-416d-87ae-5dfbbb6981df"

S5:032 – Why do churches have elders? (Acts 14, Part 2) Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

Why is church membership important? Why did Paul and Barnabas appoint elders as they planted churches? In this episode, Emma Dotter continues in Acts 14, addressing the roles of elders, church leadership structure, the importance of church membership, and why it's important to be part of a shepherding church submitted to the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED:

Hebrews 13: 17; 7: 33

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES: