How should we read Song of Solomon in light of Christ? In today's episode, Emma Dotter talks with Garrett Wikle, Resident Theologian at Watermark, and help us understand how Song of Solomon, while a romantic poem, also  displays the love Christ has for his Church. 

Additional references: Genesis 3; Isaiah 62:4-5 Revelation 19; 

Check out Song of Solomon - Attraction by Passion City Church: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM4B-AUA8M8

Check out Dominion and Dynasty  by Stephen Dempster: https://a.co/d/cmScARi

Why is every deed judged by God? Should I have fear of God's judgment? In today's episode, Emma Dotter talks with Watermark member, Cecil Blanton, about Ecclesiastes 9-12 about the "judgments" that will happen according to chapter 12. Cecil helps us see how these judgments are a call to conduct ourselves in a way that is honoring to God and calls us to salvation only through Jesus.

Additional references: 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 8:1; Revelation 20:11-14; Romans 3:23-25; Genesis 3; Romans 8:28

Check out another episode featuring Cecil! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s2-050-exodus-6/id1600151923?i=1000603577135

GotQuestions Article about the Judgments: https://www.gotquestions.org/all-the-judgments.html

If "the same event happens to all," what is the point of the Christian life? Today, Emma Dotter talks with Watermark elder, Todd Anders to answer this question and help us understand how God uses even hardship to help us grow in relationship with him.

Listen to more of Todd Anders! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-097-1-chronicles-9-13/id1600151923?i=1000704580901

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s3-218-psalm-132/id1600151923?i=1000675752263

What does vanity mean? In today's episode, Emma Dotter talks with returning Watermark member, Nate Alvis. Nate sets the stage for Ecclesiastes, helping us understand the background of the book and who wrote it. Nate explains what "vanity" is and what the call to us is to focus on instead of all the vanity.  

Listen to more of Nate Alvis: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-002-genesis-6-10/id1600151923?i=1000682394234

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s3-056-job-11/id1600151923?i=1000649557256

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s3-140-psalm-55/id1600151923?i=1000662617055

Who is Agur? Why does this proverb feel different? In today's episode, Emma Dotter and Watermark member, Mandy Bagdanov, talk about Proverbs 31 and the themes we see for Christian living in this passage. 

Listen to Mandy's last episode! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s3-213-psalm-127/id1600151923?i=1000674843869

In today's episode, Emma Dotter talks with Watermark Executive Director of Community and Care, David Dzina, about three themes we see from Proverbs 22-26 to consider in our lives.

Can we actually make our own plans? In today's episode, Emma Dotter examines Proverbs 23 and helps us understand the nature of our autonomy, our ability to have free will, when God is ultimately in control.

Additional References: Ezra 7:27; Revelation 17:17; Daniel 2:19-22; James 3:1; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Romans 8:28 

Why do our words matter so much? How do our word effect those who hear those words? In today's episode, Emma Dotter talks about Proverbs 12 and shows us the contrasts between the words of the righteous and the words of the wicked. Emma challenges us to be followers of Christ who reflect his character through our words through 3 principles found in Proverbs 12. 

Additional References: Exodus 20; Matthew 12:34; Ephesians 4:29; James 3; Ephesians 4:15; James 1:19 

In today's episode, Emma Dotter discusses Proverbs 7-11, specifically diving into Proverbs 11, exploring the significance of the number of times "righteousness" is mentioned. Emma helps us see how Proverbs 11's call to righteous is made possible not through our actions, but only through God's righteousness that he has gifted us through Jesus. Emma calls us to reflect on whether our actions and life style is one marked by the righteousness of Christ. 

Additional References: Romans 3

Find more resources for Bible study at https://www.jointhejourney.com/resources

Serve with us at Join The Journey! https://www.watermark.org/ministries/join-the-journey

How do we think about wisdom literature? Today Emma Dotter and Watermark Resident Theologian Garrett Wikle overview wisdom literature and dive into Proverbs 1-6 to discuss what wisdom is, why we need wisdom and how we gain wisdom. Through the book of Proverbs, God is pointing us to Himself. It highlights the greater redemptive story, as wisdom literature assumes we are in a right relationship with God, having been saved by God to abundant life in Christ and the flourishing found as we walk in Him and His design.

Ask God to show you if you are drifting toward any of these areas:

• Are you losing appetite for spiritual things?

• Are you becoming worldly minded?

• Are you no longer troubled by sin?

Additional Scripture Referenced:

Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26 – God will remove our hearts of stone and give us hearts of flesh. 

Hebrews 1:1-4 – "In these last days, God has spoken to us by His Son…"

1 John 1:8 – "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

To read A Heart Aflame for God by Matthew C. Bingham, check out this link: https://www.crossway.org/books/a-heart-aflame-for-god-hcj/?srsltid=AfmBOoqWYkB2w8aiXEEtLMTm4lUmSQ4nRgvMIS0TAAnrBx9xyjwAmTF7

Listen to Garrett's previous episode on Deuteronomy 17-20 here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/s4-046-deuteronomy-17-20/id1600151923?i=1000695013496