Join The Journey

"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 4:1-31. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for four things: that we would be Gospel-Saturated, proclaiming Jesus's name in all that we do; that we would be recognized as being people who are with Jesus; that we would be faithful to love our enemies and have boldness even in opposition; praying for perseucted church all over the world.

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"

Why does the resurrection matter so much to the Christian faith—and why was it so controversial in the early church? In this episode, Emma Dotter unpacks Acts 4:1-31 by breaking down the three primary religious groups that opposed the early church, including the Sadducees. Then, Emma is joined by Watermark member Bruno Ysla for a thoughtful conversation on the significance of the resurrection. Together, they explore the theology behind the resurrection, why it’s central to Christianity, and how differing views on it shape belief and practice today. 

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED: 

1 Corinthians 5: 17 

// RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:  

Acts: A Paragraph-by-Paragraph Exegetical Evangelical Bible Commentary by Darrell L. Bock: https://a.co/d/0g3ggXK9  

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:  
S4:256 – Luke 23-34 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-256-luke-23-24/id1600151923?i=1000733444687) 
S4:264 – Acts 3-4 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-264-acts-3-4/id1600151923?i=1000735193276) 
// 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 4:1-31. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for four things: that we would be Gospel-Saturated, proclaiming Jesus's name in all that we do; that we would be recognized as being people who are with Jesus; that we would be faithful to love our enemies and have boldness even in opposition; praying for persecuted church all over the world. 
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 a miracle? Can believers perform miracles today? How can we speak boldly about Jesus like Peter? In this extended episode, Emma Dotter illustrates what the temple would have looked like and highlightsgenerosity in the early church. Then, Watermark’s Director of Equipping, Chris Sherrod, joins to answer controversial questions about miracles and unpack Acts 3:1-7. After that, Emma and Watermark’s Director of Re|Engage, Matt Farlow, have a conversation about how the same Spirit who emboldened Peter emboldens us, and they provide practical advice on how to keep in step with the Spirit. 

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED: 
John 20: 30-31; Mark 1: 40-42; Revelation 21: 4; Deuteronomy 4: 9; Galatians 5: 25; John 15: 26 
 

// RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:  
In Defense of Miracles edited by Doug Geivett and Gary Habermas: https://a.co/d/eF78vq5 
GotQuestions article on miracles: https://www.gotquestions.org/definition-miracle.html 

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:  
S4:264 – Acts 3-4 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-264-acts-3-4/id1600151923?i=1000735193276 
// 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 3. Wes leads us in praying through 3 themes that are seen in the story of the lame beggar—praying for comfort for those who are broken and hurting, asking God to align our hearts and prayers with his, praying that we would be eager witnesses to the goodness of God 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"