Join The Journey

How does Stephen’s speech connect to the rest of Scripture? Why revisit Israel’s history with leaders who already knew it? In this episode, Emma Dotter explores fascinating insights about ancient Israel’s history and shows how Stephen’s words in Acts 7:1-53 fit into the larger story of the Bible, highlighting his main point: ancient Israel had a pattern of rejecting God, and the religious leaders’ rejection of Jesus was no different. 

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED: 

Genesis 12; 15; 17; Romans 4: 20-25; Genesis 3: 15; 49: 10; Deuteronomy 18: 18; Leviticus 18: 21; Jeremiah 32: 35; Isaiah 66: 1-2 

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:  
S4:266 – Acts 7-8 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-266-acts-7-8/id1600151923?i=1000735540307) 
 
// 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 7:1-53. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things: we know and understand the story of the Bible, that we would not give up on committing to Scripture memory, that we would apply the Word of God to 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"

How do followers of Jesus remain faithful in persecution? Does the Church really thrive under pressure? In this episode, Emma Dotter examines Acts 6:8-15 and the extraordinary faith of an ordinary man named Stephen after being arrested by religious officials. Even though Stephen was not an apostle, he accomplished incredible things by the Holy Spirit’s power. Then, one of Watermark’s overseas workers, Seth, joins to shed light on the persecuted Church, why God allows persecution, and how we should respond when we’re persecuted.  

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED: 

Exodus 34: 29; Luke 4: 22; Acts 4: 33; 2 Timothy 3: 12; John 15: 18; 2 Thessalonians 1; Hebrews 13: 3; Ephesians 6: 12; Matthew 25: 40; Romans 12: 14 

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:  
S4:265 – Acts 5-6 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-265-acts-5-6/id1600151923?i=1000735373170) 

// RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY: 
Hope for the Troubled Heart by Billy Graham 
Apologeticus by Tertullian 
Support Bible translation for the unreached: https://seedcompany.com/ 
Learn more about God’s heart for the nations: https://www.watermark.org/discovermissions  
// 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 6:8-15. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things: that we would be full of grace and wisdom, for those who persecute us, that we would respond to those who persecute us in love.

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 should care and correction in the church look like? How should followers of Jesus care for widows in their church body? In this episode, Watermark elder Todd Anders joins Emma Dotter to discuss Acts 6:1-7 and what it means to be a shepherding church, the five aspects of a shepherd, and the “one another” commands in Scripture. Then, faithful Watermark member Melanie Graber describes her experience in being cared for by the church and offers practical advice on caring for widows. 

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED: 

Exodus 17: 11; 18: 21-22; Ephesians 4: 15; 2 Peter 3: 9; Psalm 23 

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:  
S4:265 – Acts 5-6 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-265-acts-5-6/id1600151923?i=1000735373170) 

// RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY: 
Church Membership by Jonathan Leeman: (https://a.co/d/035b4DsL) 
Aging with Purpose: 7 Essentials for Finishing Well by Dr. Hal Habecker (https://a.co/d/0fP6bqSu) 
Read Melanie Graber’s story: (https://www.watermark.org/blog/ordinary-obedience) 
Watermark Community Church ministries mentioned: 
Christ-Centered Recovery (https://www.watermark.org/ministries/regeneration-recovery) 
Marriage Enrichment (https://www.watermark.org/ministries/re-engage) 
International Student Ministry (https://www.watermark.org/outreach/international-students ) 
Women’s Bible Study (https://www.watermark.org/ministries/womens-bible-study)  
Newly Married Women (https://www.watermark.org/ministries/to-have-and-to-host)  
Men and Women 60+ (https://www.watermark.org/ministries/legacy)  
// 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]