Join The Journey

Latest Episodes:

Prayer S5:019 Acts 9:20-31 May 10, 2026

Show notes

"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 9:20-31. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things found in Acts 9:31: that the church would walk in peace with one another and be built up, that we would walk in fear of the Lord and would receive comfort from the Holy Spirit, and that more people would come to know Christ. 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"

S5:018 – How Paul went from persecutor to apostle May 05, 2026

Show notes

How did the apostle Paul become a Christian? Is anyone too far gone from Jesus? In this episode, Emma Dotter unpacks the conversion story of Saul: a Pharisee who was on his way to persecute Christians when he had a miraculous encounter with Jesus. Later, Saul would go by his Roman name, Paul, and become one of the most famous Christians in history: the apostle Paul. Then, Watermark Institute student Devan Tatum shares the story of how Jesus radically transformed his life from finding temporary satisfaction in the world to finding true purpose and lasting joy in Christ.

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED:

John 9: 31; Luke 12: 20; 1 Timothy 1: 15; Philippians 2: 13; Micah 7: 18; Psalm 139: 6; Psalm 55: 22

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:

S4:268 Acts 9-11 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-267-acts-9-11/id1600151923?i=1000735699050

// RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:

Read Devan’s story: (https://www.watermark.org/blog/not-the-same)
Learn about the Watermark Institute: (https://www.watermarkresources.com/ministries/institute?utm_medium=institute&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=the_current&utm_content=the_current_20251111)

// 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

Prayer S5:018 Acts 9:1-19 May 03, 2026

Show notes

"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 9:1-19. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things: that persecutors would come to know Christ, for courage and grace within believers who are being persecuted, and that God would use all of us to accomplish his purposes. Join us for a great night of Prayer and Worship this Thursday! https://www.watermark.org/events/6969-night-of-prayer-and-worship 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"

S5:017 – How to be led by the Holy Spirit Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

What does the Holy Spirit do in our lives? Does he still speak? What does it look like for him to lead us? In this episode, Emma dives into what it means to be Spirit-led and unpacks the Holy Spirit’s three primary roles in the lives of believers today. Then she gives practical advice for those who want to grow in their ability to listen for God’s voice and respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading.

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED:

Romans 5: 1-5; Ephesians 3: 17-19; Psalm 27: 4; Psalm 1: 2; Romans 8: 13; Galatians 5: 16, 24; 1 Corinthians 10: 13; Philippians 4: 8; 1 Corinthians 12: 4, 7

// 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)

// RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:

Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton (https://a.co/d/08ITQkoA)
The Familiar Stranger by Tyler Staton (https://a.co/d/03Ys829a)

// WHAT IS JOIN THE JOURNEY?

// MORE RESOURCES FROM JOIN THE JOURNEY:

Prayer S5:017 Spirit Led Week Apr 26, 2026

Show notes

"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through our Spirit-Led Marker. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things: that we would be a people who listen to the conviction of the Spirit, to the instruction of the Spirit, and would bear fruit of the Spirit in our lives. 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"

S5:016 Acts 8:26-40 – Why Bible teaching matters for sharing your faith Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

How did Philip vanish after his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch? Why is Bible teaching important? How should we view evangelism and discipleship? In this episode, Emma Dotter and Watermark Students Resident, Ellie Higgins, discuss the account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-40. Together, they explore the importance of Bible teaching, being Spirit-led to share the gospel, and the joy of understanding Scripture.
// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED:

Luke 24: 13-35; 2 Timothy 3: 16-17; Hebrews 4: 12; 1 Peter 3: 15; John 6: 21; Luke 4: 30

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:

S4:266 – Acts 7-8 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-266-acts-7-8/id1600151923?i=1000735540307)

// RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:

Christ from Beginning to End by Stephen J. Wellum and Trent Hunter (https://a.co/d/0d1RXPpP)
Christian Theology by Christopher W. Morgan with Robert A. Peterson (https://a.co/d/0bB797cA)
Learn the overarching story of Scripture: God’s Big Picture by Vaughan Roberts (https://a.co/d/07y2Qfc4)
Learn the Bible’s key people, events, and doctrines: 30 Days to Understanding the Bible by Max Anders (https://a.co/d/04JQL8Fe)

// WHAT IS JOIN THE JOURNEY?

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Prayer S5:016 Acts 8:26-40 Apr 19, 2026

Show notes

"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 8:26-40. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things: for our church to be sensitive to God's sending, for the lost to have an increased hunger and curiosity for Christ, and that we would have a hunger to be witnesses for Jesus Christ to the lost. Have questions about faith? Check out Great Questions every Monday night at Watemark. https://www.watermark.org/events/6872-great-questions 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"

S5:015 Acts 8:1-25 – What are unclean spirits? Do unclean spirits exist today? Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

How should we think about unclean spirits? What are demons? Is spiritual warfare real? What’s so important about Samaria? In this episode, Emma Dotter and Ryan Garrahan, Watermark’s Director of Community Formation, talk about why there was such an intense rivalry between Jews and Samaritans. Then, Emma unpacks unclean spirits, demons, the spiritual realm, and the confidence followers of Jesus have in the face of spiritual warfare.

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED:

1 Kings 16: 24; 11: 31-33; 2 Kings 17; Nehemiah 4: 2; John 4; Luke 10; Acts 1: 8; 8: 1; 1 Kings 16: 24; Ephesians 6: 12; 1 John 3: 8b; Colossians 2: 15; Hebrews 2: 14; Revelation 12: 9-11a; 20: 10; Deuteronomy 32: 16-17; Psalm 106: 35-37; 1 Corinthians 10: 20; 1 Samuel 16: 23; Mark 1: 27; Matthew 12: 28; 10: 5-8; Mark 3: 14-15; Luke 10: 17-20; Acts 16: 18; 19:11-12; 1 John 5: 19; 4: 4; Ephesians 4: 10, 26–27

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:

S4:266 – Acts 7-8 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-266-acts-7-8/id1600151923?i=1000735540307)

// RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:

Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem - https://a.co/d/0dDrzUwi

// WHAT IS JOIN THE JOURNEY?

// MORE RESOURCES FROM JOIN THE JOURNEY:

Prayer S5:015 Acts 8:1-25 Apr 12, 2026

Show notes

"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 8:1-25. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things: that God would increase the joy and goodness in our city through salvation, pray against pride in those who do not know Christ, and that we would be marked by humility when confronted with our sin. 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"

S5:014 Acts 7:54-8:3 – The first Christian martyr Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

What is a martyr? Why was Stephen's death so pivotal? Do people still get killed for following Jesus? In this episode, Emma Dotter unpacks the death of the first Christian martyr in Acts 7:54-8:3 and the history of followers of Jesus being killed for their faith. Then, Watermark’s International Missions Director, Bruce Kendrick, joins to discuss how we should think about persecution and martyrdom today. We don't have to fear death because Christ promises eternal life.

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED:

Luke 21: 16

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES: