Join The Journey

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

"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 Re:generation on Monday nights. Find out more information at https://www.watermark.org/ministries/regeneration-recovery

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 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, sharing about a missionary family from Watermark. 

// 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

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. 

// 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