Content Warning: This episode discusses sensitive topics, including sexual abuse.

"If God is good, why does evil exist?" Lauren Atkinson and Watermark staff member Dave Bruskas explore this question through Genesis 37–41, offering a framework for viewing suffering in light of God’s character.

Re:Gen Recovery Information: https://www.watermark.org/ministries/regeneration-recovery

MENd: Abuse Recovery for Men: https://www.watermark.org/ministries/mend

Courageous Hope: Abuse Recovery for Women: https://www.watermark.org/ministries/courageous-hope

Article on Effects of the Fall:

https://www.gotquestions.org/desire-husband-rule.html

How do we reconcile the way that women are treated in the OT with what the rest of scripture says about us being image bearers? In today’s episode, Emma Dotter and faithful Watermark member Jessica Bishop talk about Genesis 34 and 35 and the story of Dinah and her brother’s reaction and vengeance on the evil that happens to her. They explain that this is an account of something outside of God’s design, and that the description the Bible gives is not necessarily a prescription of what God approves of.
 
 Additional Scripture Referenced:
 Genesis 1:27
 Woman with issue of blood - Matthew 9, Mark 5, Luke 8
 Jesus with Martha - Luke 11:11-26 
 
 Interested in Courageous Hope? Check out the link below!
 https://www.watermark.org/ministries/courageous-hope 
 
 Check out the Join The Journey Devotionals here!
 https://www.jointhejourney.com/
 
 You can also check out the Join The Journey Jr. Podcast: 
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey-junior/id1660089898

How did Jacob beat God in a wrestling match? Why did Jacob want God's blessing so badly? Why did God change Jacob's name? In today's episode, Emma Dotter unpacks Genesis 29 - 32, a pivotal moment in Jacob's life where he developed his own personal faith through his encounter with God. 
 
 Order our NEW Join The Journey Jr. Discussion cards to help you and your family study the Bible together: https://my.watermark.org/registration?RegistrationInstanceId=4093

How does integrity play out in our lives? Today, Emma Dotter looks at Genesis 27 and how integrity is shown in the story of Jacob and Esau and evaluates how we show spiritual integrity within our own lives. 
 
 Order our NEW Join The Journey Jr. Discussion cards to help you and your family study the Bible together: https://my.watermark.org/registration?RegistrationInstanceId=4093

In today's episode, Emma Dotter discusses Genesis 22:1-14 and how the sacrifice of Isaac foreshadowed the sacrifice that Jesus would make for all mankind. Emma explores how Abraham had faith in his obedience, even when it required Abraham to lay down what he loved most. 
 
 Scriptures Referenced: 
 Hebrew 11:19, Jeremiah 7:31, Romans 4:16, Matthew 26:29, 1 Corinthians 15:4, John 8:56
 
 Parallels between the sacrifice Isaac and Jesus' crucifixion: 
 Genesis 22:2 - John 3:16, Genesis 22:2 - 1 Corinthian 15:3, Genesis 22:6 - John 19:17, Genesis 22:7 - John 1:29, Genesis 22:8 - 1 Peter 1:18-19 and Revelation 5:6
 
 GotQuestions Article on Isaac's sacrifice: https://www.gotquestions.org/Abraham-Isaac.html

In today's episode, Emma Dotter discusses how we understand the Old Testament through understanding the Abrahamic Covenant and God's character as a promise keeper. 
 
 GotQuestions Article on "What is a covenant?" https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-a-covenant.html
 
 Order our NEW Join The Journey Jr. Discussion cards to help you and your family study the Bible together: https://my.watermark.org/registration?RegistrationInstanceId=4093

Today, Emma Dotter talks with Watermark member Nate Alvis discuss Genesis 6-10 and what it means for God to have "regretted" his creation of man. They also discuss how Noah's drunkenness showed his weakness, yet was called faithful. 
 
 Scripture References: 
 Ezekiel 1:28 - Ezekiel's revelation of a rainbow.
 Revelation 4:3
 
 Referenced Article by Emma Dotter: https://www.gotquestions.org/dealing-with-regrets.html
  
 Check out Nate Alvis' former episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s3-056-job-11/id1600151923?i=1000649557256
 
 Update your Join The Journey App today for fun new features! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/join-the-journey/id945606622
 
 Check out Dtown on February 7-8th for your students! https://www.watermark.org/events/6382-dtown-2025

What is God's design for gender identity and marriage? Today, Emma Dotter is joined by Watermark Family Director Chris Sherrod to walk through how Genesis 1-5 shapes how we live today. God is the designer and definer of reality, so He in His goodness is the one who gets to determine gender and marriage. However, our culture says we are the ones who get to decide our own reality. Genesis 3:15 foreshadows a promise that the rest of the Old Testament unfolds that a serpent-crusher will come to redeem and restore God's creation that sin has distorted. 
 
 Additional Scripture Referenced:
 Isaiah 29:16 – God is our designer
 Isaiah 64:8 – we are all the work of God's hand
 Romans 8:18-25 – our bodies will be redeemed and healed fully one day
 
 For a helpful resource on helping children understand gender, check out this book by Marty Machowski God Made Boys and Girls:
 https://www.christianbook.com/girls-helping-children-understand-gift-gender/marty-machowski/9781645070313/pd/070315?en=google&event=SHOP&kw=childrens-books-0-20%7C070315&p=1179710&utm_source=google&p=1234083&dv=c&cb_src=google&cb_typ=shopping&cb_cmp=20379181146&cb_adg=157175267691&cb_kyw=&utm_medium=shopping&snav=GMERCH&gclid=Cj0KCQiAsOq6BhDuARIsAGQ4-zjFVPL-Iu9c1Em2ttnLIkV930N0uInCIEPhnZD-xZ3d0HK90BZ2loAaAh7IEALw_wcB

Today, Emma Dotter finishes out the 2024 year by discussing Revelation 22:16-20, Jesus' identity, the call to come, and the hope we have in Jesus' return. 

In today's episode, Lauren Atkinson takes us through Revelation 22:12-13 and helps us to reflect back on all the wonderful things that God has done for us and how because of what he has done, we can look forward to all that is coming. 
 
 Link for TA's message: 
 https://www.watermark.org/message/10962-jesus-and-the-word