Join The Journey

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:  
S4:268 Acts 12-14 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-268-acts-12-14/id1600151923?i=1000735847137) 
S5:011 Acts 6:1-7 – Care and correction in the Church (https://youtu.be/EkwT7n3BscM?si=Nv_Vqgl6VaJUcv50)  
 

// 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

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 now. 

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:  
S4:268 Acts 12-14 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-268-acts-12-14/id1600151923?i=1000735847137) 
 

// 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

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 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"

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.  

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED: 

Romans 10: 9; Matthew 23: 37;  

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:  
S4:268 Acts 12-14 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-268-acts-12-14/id1600151923?i=1000735847137) 
 

// 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

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 important for Paul to draw this conclusion for his audience at the synagogue in Antioch. 

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED: 

2 Samuel 7: 16 

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:  
S4:268 Acts 12-14 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-268-acts-12-14/id1600151923?i=1000735847137) 
 

// 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