Join The Journey

How is fellowship really lived out at Watermark? Is there hope for the younger generation? In today’s episode, Emma Dotter sits down with Watermark’s Shoreline Director, Will McIlroy, to share powerful stories of genuine fellowship in action. Will highlights how Watermark students are actively living out their faith through gathering for worship, devotion to God’s Word, and meaningful community with one another. This conversation offers a glimpse into what it looks like when faith is practiced together—not just taught. 

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED: 
1 John 1:1-4 
 

// RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:  
If you have students in 6-12 grade, check out DTown happening February 6-7, 2026: https://www.watermark.org/events/6834-dtown-2026 
See what God is doing in our students’ lives on Shoreline’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shorelinedallas/?hl=en 

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:  
S4:263 – Introduction to the book of Acts” (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...) 
S3:035 – Ecclesiastes 7 with Craig Wenning (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s3-035-ecclesiastes-7/id1600151923?i=1000645562308)  
// 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: [email protected]

In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 2:42-47. This week Wes reads Acts 2:42-47 and encourages you to pray how the Spirit would lead you. We spend time praying for the church—that we would be people who reflect the heart of God the Father, have eagerness to fellowship with one another, and be sensitive to those around us in need. 
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

How do I hear God’s voice? What were the first followers of Jesus like? In this episode, pastor and author Kirk Freeman is back with Emma Dotter to discuss Acts 2:42-47 and how the Holy Spirit empowered the early church in their fellowship. They explore helpful ways to discern the Spirit’s voice and unpack how this example of church gatherings and functions guide the way we do church today. 

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED: 
Psalm 103: 1-22, 6; Acts 2: 4; John 14: 15, 21, 29; Romans 8; John 15: 9-11; 1 Peter 2: 23; Acts 1: 8; Philippians 4: 1; Romans 8: 17 
 

// RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:  
Watermark’s doctrinal statement on the Holy Spirit: (https://www.watermark.org/about/full-doctrinal-statement)

Threads: Weaving Discipleship into the Fabric of Your Life by Kirk Freeman (https://www.amazon.com/Threads-Weaving-disciple-making-fabric/dp/B0CNKXBMZN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2NO5MWLVB07S8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZVudhJOVXAMUTMHuv23neg.C3TzzhQ2E5uDMl6s3xyf1E7buSOBMJVB0KOpH8OwN1o&dib_tag=se&keywords=threads+kirk+freeman+book&qid=1766445136&sprefix=threads+kirk+%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-1)

A Spirit-Led Church: Sermon series from Watermark Community Church (https://www.watermark.org/series/1471) 
Questions about the Holy Spirit? Visit GotQuestions: (https://www.gotquestions.org/who-Holy-Spirit.html) 

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:  
“S4:263 – Introduction to the book of Acts” (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...)  
“S1:191 – What if my possession of the Spirit feels mundane?” (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey/id1600151923?i=1000580618106) 
// 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 throughinteractive 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: [email protected]  
// CHAPTERS

"Join us this week for 7 Days of Prayer and Fasting! In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 2:42-47. Today, we pray through our 3 markers of being a Shepherding church, a Community church, and a Unifying church. We also spend time praying that God would ""add to our numbers"" and that we would see many people in our city saved by Jesus Christ.

Join us for A Night of Prayer and Worship! This Thursday, January 29 from 7:00-9:00PM at Watermark. You can find more information at https://www.watermark.org/events/6876-night-of-prayer-and-worship-7-days-of-prayer-and-fasting

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"

This episode answers the major questions surrounding baptism. Considering Acts 2, Emma Dotter and her guest, Tyler Moffett, bring clarity to doctrinal issues such as, “Do I need to get baptized?” and “Is baptism necessary for salvation?” This discussion doesn’t stop there but calls maturing believers to their next step of obedience regarding baptism. Then, to wrap up we examine Peter’s statement in Acts 2:40, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” Is salvation up to you? Can you really save yourself? Listen to dig into this interpretive challenge.  
 
ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED:  
Matthew 28:19-20 
Galatians 2:20  
Colossians 1:13-14 
Ephesians 2:8-9 – Salvation not by works 
Titus 3:5 – Salvation not by works  
Deuteronomy 32:5 
Matthew 17:17 
Philippians 2:14-15 
 
RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:  
Read Watermark’s doctrinal statement on Baptism: https://www.watermark.org/about/full-doctrinal-statement  
 
GotQuestions: https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-baptism.html  
 
How to get baptized at Watermark Community Church: https://www.watermark.org/baptism  
 
Explore the sermon series from Watermark Community Church about what it means to be a Spirit-led church: https://www.watermark.org/series/1471  
 
RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:  
- Overview of the book of Acts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey/id1600151923?i=1000579810400  
 
- What if my possession of the Spirit feels mundane? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey/id1600151923?i=1000580618106  
 
 
WHAT IS JOIN THE JOURNEY?  
Join The Journey is a realistic daily Bible reading plan that helps us enjoy abiding in Jesus together. Join The Journey (JTJ) is Watermark Community Church’s Bible-reading plan that invites you to read the Bible with us every day. You can jump in with us at any time, and we’d love for you to invite your friends, family, kids, and community group to Join The Journey too. 
 
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://www.jointhejourney.com  
 
Daily Bible lessons for parents and children: https://www.jointhejourney.com/jr/7957-what-is-real 
 
Weekly Bible podcast for children: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898  
 
Explore previous year’s Join The Journey print resources: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Watermark-Community-Church/author/B0BRYP5MQK?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1766444722&sr=1-2&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=76f04356-3b4c-4524-b15f-6bd00f35bb05  
 
Contact the Join The Journey Team: [email protected]