Join The Journey

By Watermark Community Church, Dallas, TXReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Join The Journey episodes

May 27S5:024 – The purpose of speaking in tongues in Acts (Acts 10:34-11:30, Part 2)
What is the purpose of speaking in tongues throughout the book of Acts? What does its presence in Acts 10:34-11:30 signify? In this episode, Emma Dotter explores how speaking in tongues was purposeful in the book of Acts. Tongues signified the spread of the gospel beyond the Jewish people to the Gentiles. She also discusses the difference between descriptive and prescriptive texts in Scripture and provides insight into applying these passages today.

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:
S4:267 Acts 9-11 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-267-acts-9-11/id1600151923?i=1000735699050)

// 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]
13 min
May 26S5:023 – What Peter's vision about food really meant (Acts 10:34-11:30, Part 1)
Why was Peter’s vision about food? And how did he know God wanted him to connect that to Gentiles believing in Jesus? In this episode, Emma Dotter circles back to Acts 10:1-33 and breaks down Peter’s vision about the animals and the sheet. To us, it seems random, but to Peter, it would have been a clear reference to the rules of cleanliness, the dietary laws, and the ceremonial rituals laid out in the Old Testament—God was doing something new.

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED:

Hebrews 9: 13-14; Acts 1: 8

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:
S4:267 Acts 9-11 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-267-acts-9-11/id1600151923?i=1000735699050)

// 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]
15 min
May 24 Prayer S5:022 Acts 10:34-11:18
"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 10:34-11:18. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things:
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"

10 min
May 20S5:022 – Cross-cultural evangelism (Acts 9:32-43, Part 2)
What is the deeper significance of the miracles Peter does? How should followers of Jesus engage with those of other cultural backgrounds? In this episode, Bruno Ysla shares briefly about how God led him from Peru toDallas. Then, he and Emma Dotter continue their discussion of Acts 9:32-43, including the significance of Peter staying with Simon the Tanner and how followers of Jesus should engage with brothers and sisters from different cultural/ethnic backgrounds.

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:
S4:268 Acts 9-11 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-267-acts-9-11/id1600151923?i=1000735699050

// 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]
21 min
May 19S5:021 – The early church's evidence for the gospel (Acts 9:32-43, Part 1)
How did people know the early church’s message was true? Why did miracles matter? In this episode, Bruno Ysla, Watermark member and PhD student at Dallas Theological Seminary, joins Emma Dotter to discuss Acts 9:32-43 and the role signs and wonders played in the expansion of the early church. Then, they talk about other ways followers of Jesus today can give evidence to support the truth of the gospel.

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:
S4:268 Acts 9-11 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-267-acts-9-11/id1600151923?i=1000735699050

// RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:
Stand to Reason, apologetics YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/STRvideos

// 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]
13 min
May 17 Prayer S5:021 Acts 10:1-33
"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 10:1-33. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things: that we would be a praying church, that our faith would increase for answered prayers, and that we would be obedient to the Holy Spirit's leading.
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"

10 min
May 17 Prayer S5:020 Acts 9:32-43
"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 9:32-43. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things: for those battling chronic illness, for those who are dead in their sin to be raised to life in Christ, and for courage to speak the Gospel into dark places.
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"

10 min
May 13S5:020 – How can fear and comfort in God coexist?
How did people respond to Saul’s conversion? What effect did it have on the church? In this episode, Emma Dotter and Marvin Walker continue their conversation about the events following Saul’s conversion, including how people were baffled by his transformation, how he had to escape from persecutors in a basket, and how trusted followers of Jesus came alongside him to provide encouragement and affirmation. Then, Marvin reflects on a time he saw God encourage him in the early days of pastoring Watermark South Dallas.

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:
S4:268 Acts 9-11 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-267-acts-9-11/id1600151923?i=1000735699050

// 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]
13 min
May 12S5:019 – Why does God interrupt our plans?
What happened after Saul’s conversion? Why does God redirect our plans? How does God’s grace change everything about our lives? In this episode, Emma Dotter and Marvin Walker, Watermark South Dallas Campus Pastor, discuss how God often interrupts our plans to enable us to see him more clearly, how to walk alongside new followers of Jesus with love and grace, and what maturing in faith looks like.

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:
S4:268 Acts 9-11 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-267-acts-9-11/id1600151923?i=1000735699050
// 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]
16 min
May 10 Prayer S5:019 Acts 9:20-31
"In today's Conversations for the Journey, host and Care Director Wes Butler leads us in praying through Acts 9:20-31. This week, Wes leads us in prayer for three things found in Acts 9:31: that the church would walk in peace with one another and be built up, that we would walk in fear of the Lord and would receive comfort from the Holy Spirit, and that more people would come to know Christ.
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"

9 min

About Join The Journey

From the publisher's feed

Reading the Bible regularly can be a challenge, and our goal is to help you not only get into God's word regularly, but also help you understand and apply what you're reading! Join The Journey is a…