Empowerment: life and service

Have you experienced discrepancies between your spiritual life and what you read in Acts? While the early church was unique in many ways, believers still have the same Spirit that we read about in Scripture. In this episode, Emma Dotter and Kylen Perry, Watermark’s Executive Director of The Porch, explain who that Spirit is and how he works in our lives and churches today. Then Emma Dotter and Pastor and Author, Kirk Freeman, spend time unpacking the implications of Acts 2, a passage that originally gave unity and clarity to the early church rather than the division it causes now. Listen to learn how to fight for unity despite having different convictions from other believers around you.

// ADDITIONAL VERSES MENTIONED: 

Acts 5: 3-4; Matthew 28: 19-20; John 15: 26; Ephesians 4: 30; Genesis 41; 1: 1-2; 2: 7; Acts 9: 31; Galatians 5: 16-18; John 16: 8; Titus 3: 5 

// RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY:  

Watermark’s doctrinal statement on the Holy Spirit: (https://www.watermark.org/about/full-doctrinal-statement)
Wrestling with your convictions on the Holy Spirit? (https://www.watermark.org/blog/agree-to-disagree-how-to-handle-essentials-convictions-opinions)  

Threads: Weaving Discipleship into the Fabric of Your Life by Kirk Freeman (https://www.amazon.com/Threads-Weaving-disciple-making-fabric/dp/B0CNKXBMZN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2NO5MWLVB07S8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZVudhJOVXAMUTMHuv23neg.C3TzzhQ2E5uDMl6s3xyf1E7buSOBMJVB0KOpH8OwN1o&dib_tag=se&keywords=threads+kirk+freeman+book&qid=1766445136&sprefix=threads+kirk+%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-1
A Spirit-Led Church: Sermon series from Watermark Community Church (https://www.watermark.org/series/1471) 

Learn more about The Porch, Watermark’s young adult ministry: https://www.theporch.live  

// RELATED JOIN THE JOURNEY EPISODES:  

• “S4:263 – Introduction to the book of Acts” (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...) Intro to the book of Acts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey/id1600151923?i=1000735019898  
• “S1:191 – What if my possession of the Spirit feels mundane?” (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/join-the-journey/id1600151923?i=1000580618106) 

// 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