Join The Journey

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:...

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...

"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 requ...

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 – In...

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;...

"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 Waterm...

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 1...

Is Greek mythology in the Bible? Why do the people worship Paul and Barnabas in Acts 14? In this episode, Emma Dotter unpacks the cultural and religious contexts that influenced how the people would have understood the healing of the crippled man in Acts 14:8-10. Then, she connects the audience's response in Acts 14 to how some respond to God's work today and addresses what idolatry may look like...

In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 14. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things: that we would not allow fear to hinder the spread of the gospel, for humility as we serve Christ and learn from Bible teachers today, and that the Holy Spirit would encourage us in trial. If you would like to submit a prayer request to...

What is predestination? Does God really elect who will be saved? How do we balance God’s sovereignty with human agency? In this episode, Emma Dotter continues the discussion of Acts 13:13-52 by explaining Acts 13:48 and its theological implications. Then, she addresses the tension we feel between God’s sovereignty and human agency, along with why and how we can hold both truths in tandem.   // ADD...

How does Jesus fulfill God's promise to David? Why does Paul highlight this? In this episode, Emma Dotter unpacks Paul’s sermon in Acts 13:13-52, addressing how Jesus fulfilled God’s promises to King David. Together, draw connections between this passage and 2 Samuel 7 to see how Jesus was the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant—the true promised Messiah and King—and why it was so importa...

"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 13:13-52. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things: that people would experience freedom through the gospel, that believers would not be discouraged in opposition, and that we would be led by the Spirit. If you want to begin steps towards experiencing freedom in Christ, check out...

What does it mean to be “sent”? How was the Holy Spirit the one who sent Saul and Barnabas? In this episode, Emma Dotter unpacks what it means to be sent by the Holy Spirit and how we see this in the example of Saul and Barnabas as they embark on their first missionary journey in Acts 13:1-12. Then, Emma draws a connection between the passage and how we see the Holy Spirit send missionaries today,...

Is magic real? Do magicians actually exist? In this episode, Emma Dotter talks about the magician who opposed Saul in Acts 13:1-12, addresses the reality of dark magic, and unpacks three things we learn about spiritual powers from the passage. While there are dark forces at work in the world aiming to lead people away from the truth, God’s power is far greater, and he will always overcome.  // REL...

"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 13. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things:for the leaders of Watermark, for discernment against false teaching, and for courage to stand for the truth. If you would like to submit a prayer request to the Watermark prayer team, you can do so at https://www.watermark.org/prayer...

Did God punish Herod too harshly in Acts 12? Was God fair to hold him accountable for something he didn’t do? In this episode, Emma Dotter covers the death of Herod at the end of Acts 12, explaining why he was immediately struck down when people called him a god. She explores what this passage tells us about God’s holiness, character, and perfect justice, as well as man's accountability for sin, a...

Are you ever surprised when God answers prayers? Should we pray even if we doubt God will answer? How do emotions play into doubt? In this episode, Emma Dotter explores how the early church was surprised by God answering their prayers for Peter to be freed from prison, how that applies to our prayer lives today, and how God doesn’t rely on our emotional stability to answer prayers.  // RELATED JOI...

"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 12. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things: for those who are greiving to receive comfort, for those asking for a miracle, and for faith in us to wait on God's answers. If you would like to submit a prayer request to the Watermark prayer team, you can do so at https://www.water...

What is the purpose of speaking in tongues throughout the book of Acts? What does its presence in Acts 10:34-11:30 signify? In this episode, Emma Dotter explores how speaking in tongues was purposeful in the book of Acts. Tongues signified the spread of the gospel beyond the Jewish people to the Gentiles. She also discusses the difference between descriptive and prescriptive texts in Scripture and...

Why was Peter’s vision about food? And how did he know God wanted him to connect that to Gentiles believing in Jesus? In this episode, Emma Dotter circles back to Acts 10:1-33 and breaks down Peter’s vision about the animals and the sheet. To us, it seems random, but to Peter, it would have been a clear reference to the rules of cleanliness, the dietary laws, and the ceremonial rituals laid out in...

"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 10:34-11:18. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things: 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/u...

What is the deeper significance of the miracles Peter does? How should followers of Jesus engage with those of other cultural backgrounds? In this episode, Bruno Ysla shares briefly about how God led him from Peru toDallas. Then, he and Emma Dotter continue their discussion of Acts 9:32-43, including the significance of Peter staying with Simon the Tanner and how followers of Jesus should engage w...

How did people know the early church’s message was true? Why did miracles matter? In this episode, Bruno Ysla, Watermark member and PhD student at Dallas Theological Seminary, joins Emma Dotter to discuss Acts 9:32-43 and the role signs and wonders played in the expansion of the early church. Then, they talk about other ways followers of Jesus today can give evidence to support the truth of the go...

"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 10:1-33. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things: that we would be a praying church, that our faith would increase for answered prayers, and that we would be obedient to the Holy Spirit's leading. If you would like to submit a prayer request to the Watermark prayer team, you can...

"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 9:32-43. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things: for those battling chronic illness, for those who are dead in their sin to be raised to life in Christ, and for courage to speak the Gospel into dark places. If you would like to submit a prayer request to the Watermark prayer te...