Join The Journey

"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: jointhejourney@watermark.org  

"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"

Melanie Graber, a longtime member and widow who turned grief into ministry with international students. Todd Anders, an elder who leads on shepherding and church care. They discuss biblical shepherding, five shepherding tasks, mapping the "one another" commands, how care includes loving correction, practical church structures, and real examples of caring for widows and empowering members.

"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 6:1-7 This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things: that the needs of our body would be met through our church, that leaders would be raised up to care for people, and that the Gospel would continue to spread. 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 do we do when faithfulness brings legal pressure? // How should we respond when we’re criticized for our faith? Why is Gamaliel important? Who was Polycarp? In this episode, Emma Dotter unpacks Acts 5:17-42, the legal pressure the apostles faced, and how God used a Jewish official named Gamaliel to protect the gospel. Then she tells the story of Polycarp, a disciple of John who refused to deny Jesus and was martyred for his faith. When we face public criticism for the gospel, we can be bold and courageous in a way that honors God. Image 1: 11 Luther nails up the 95 Theses" by fz1844 is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. Image 2: Mishnah Berurah, first edition, Warsaw" by Charlie Smith FDTB is marked with CC0 1.0. Image 3: Saint Polycarpe au bûcher" by Octave 444 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. // ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED: Acts 22:3 John 16:13 Colossians 3:23-24 Romans 1:16 Ephesians 6:19-20 Ephesians 3:20 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 // 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:  // 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, College Director, Grant Wilkie, leads us in praying through Acts 5:17-42. This week, Grant leads us in prayer for three things: that we would have courage to obey God, that we would have conviction to preach the truth of the Gospel, and that we would be the type of believers who have a faith that would be persecuted. 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 are the different views about signs and wonders? Do miraculous gifts still exist today? Can the Church disagree about this and still be unified? In this episode, Emma Dotter unpacks Acts 5:12-16 and explains the spectrum of convictions within the Church about the miraculous gifts (healing, tongues, prophecy), from cessationism to continuationism. Then, Executive Director of Watermark Health, Christy Chermak, joins to discuss how followers of Jesus can have a good theology of healing. // ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED: 1 Corinthians 12-14; 2 Corinthians 12: 12; Hebrews 2: 3-4; 1 Corinthians 13: 8-10; Acts 2: 16-21; James 5: 14-16; 1 Corinthians 14: 1; 1 Thessalonians 5: 21; Revelation 21: 4; Romans 8: 19-24 // RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:  S4:265 – Acts 5-6 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-265-acts-5-6/id1600151923?i=1000735373170) S4:283 – 1 Corinthians 12-16 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-283-1-corinthians-12-16/id1600151923?i=1000738504112) // RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY: How to remain unified when others in the Church believe differently? (https://www.watermark.org/blog/agree-to-disagree-how-to-handle-essentials-convictions-opinions) Watermark message about the miraculous gifts: (https://www.watermark.org/message/10670-the-gifts-of-tongues-prophecy-and-healing-1-corinthians-14)  // 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, College Director, Grant Wilkie, leads us in praying through Acts 5:12-16. This week, Grant leads us in prayer for two things: that we would trust the Word of God and that our church would be be fruitful and multiply. 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"

Scott Kedersha, Watermark leader caring for spiritual conviction and practical holiness. Kyle Thompson, Watermark elder teaching Christian stewardship and generosity. They explore Spirit-shaped, sacrificial giving and how the early church shared everything. They unpack the shock of Ananias and Sapphira, the danger of deceit before the Spirit, and the call to genuine, accountable holiness.