As human beings, our ability to engage the world through our senses is a mystery and a miracle.

All five—sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell—truly are a gift from God that allow us to experience the world he has created. They also play a part in helping us come to know and encounter our Creator and Lord. As such, we should strive to direct the whole of our being towards God and our abiding life with him.

Here’s sort of an odd question: When was the last time you thought about using multiple senses to encounter the Lord in his word? Another question, perhaps not so odd: What if you could train your senses to work together towards the goal of transformation?

Dwell was founded on the conviction that Christians must revive the ancient practice of listening to the word of God. Hearing God’s word read was quite literally the only way Christians learned and received the Scriptures for centuries. Yet as the printing press brought book ownership to the masses, the pendulum swung the other way, and personal reading replaced listening. But isn’t it often the case that wisdom comes from a “both/and” rather than “either/or” approach?

In addition to listening “on the go,” your time in Scripture can now be reinforced and enhanced as you read along with Dwell. In fact, studies have shown that recall is significantly greater when listening and reading are combined, as opposed to simply relying on one over the other. In short, a multisensory approach leads to quicker and deeper learning.

While Dwell will always champion the listening experience, with the release of Read Along, we celebrate the gift of reading, and the power that comes from combining the two!

As you use Read Along, in a small yet significant way, you take an intentional step towards the integrated and full life our Lord invites us to discover!

“Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

– Deuteronomy 6:4

Israel grew up listening to Scripture. “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.”(Deuteronomy 6:4) Hear. Listen. Allow the words to enter your soul through your ears. Before any of Israel’s great stories of faith and formation were put on paper, they were spoken and heard in the form of narratives, parables, and sayings. Their’s was a listening life. We’ve lost that I think. Those moments where we hear God’s word read over us, where the words ring out in the sky or around the sanctuary or through the miniature speakers aimed at our eardrum. This listening life, a life committed to soaking in Scripture, is what we ought to recover. The spiritual practice of Scripture listening is not just significant because our Christian ancestors did it, it’s significant because Scripture listening forms us in ways that Scripture reading can’t. Listening should not make us diminish the practice of reading Scripture one bit – it’s crucial. It’s absolutely essential for us to understand what the Bible means. I like the way Martin Luther put it, “If you picture the Bible to be a mighty tree and every word a little branch, I have shaken every one of these branches because I wanted to know what it was and what it meant.” Gaining Biblical understanding through reading is foundational, but what I want to draw our attention to is the lost art of listening to Scripture.

The Uniqueness of Reading and Listening

So how do reading and listening shape us in different ways. Let’s take them one at a time. When we read, our default tendency is to study, we want to pull the text apart and piece it back together, we draw conclusions, make decisions, we put the text to work. We’re seeking comprehension. This means we’re searching to grasp with the mind, to sharpen our thinking, to gather, to learn, and above all, to understand. When we read, we want to get something out of it. When we listen, we have to leave all that behind. We lose our ability to be precise, there’s no underlining, cross-referencing, consulting commentaries, starring, or highlighting. Listening is more leisurely. When we listen, our default tendency is to marinate. Instead of reading the words, we steep in them. When we listen we’re gaining apprehension. That means we’re laying hold of something, or better said, something is laying hold of us. We’re seized, captured, engaged and engrossed. It’s similar to what happens to us when we listen to music. We get lost, we’re caught up in it. Scripture listening seeks to put our hearts in a position to simply soak in the Word. In essence, when we listen to Scripture, we’re not trying to get something out of it, we’re trying to get into it. To inhabit it, and ultimately to be inhabited by it.

Listening and Doing

One of the most important qualities of listening to Scripture is that we can listen while we’re doing something else, things like driving a car, lifting weights, folding laundry, or taking a walk. Our heart dwells on the Word while our body processes a routine. We’re hearing God and acting at the same time. There’s a wonderful phrase of Charles Spurgeon’s, he says, “Be walking Bibles.” I like that because it forms a kind of picture in my mind, a picture that represents what I want my life with Christ to be about. I want to live in a state of ongoing communion with God, while I’m getting on with the business of living. When I listen to Scripture, it’s as if I’m in two places at once, I’m with Him and with the world. I’m in it, but not of it. There are few activities that are more restorative than moving through our outside world, while at the same time nourishing our inner one. Listening to Scripture accomplishes that. It deepens and strengthens our experience in the present moment. Spurgeon again points the way forward, “Visit many good books,” he writes, “but live in the Bible.” Listening to Scripture, right in the middle of our ordinary life is a powerful way we can live in it.

To sum things up, Israel grew up in a culture devoted to hearing the Scriptures. They used their ears to hear God’s Word. And we should to. This doesn’t mean we read less, far from it, but what it does mean is that we work to recover and cultivate the listening life, a life that’s committed to listening to Scripture, a life that experiences fresh growth and grace as we keep God’s Word in our ears. May we all become the kinds of people who can say with the young Samuel, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”

Mark is one of our incredible Dwell voices, we’re so blessed to have him. An actor and voice artist, Mark brings warmth and life to the Scripture-listening experience. We asked him a few questions so you can get to know him a little more.

1. Tell us about your audition with Dwell; how you heard about it and the process of becoming a voice.

My audition with Dwell was a very comfortable one indeed. I had heard about the casting through Craigslist believe it or not, and thought It would be a great fit if I booked it. The initial audition all the way through the final “Call-back” was a very laid back process, where Jon/Josh made me feel at home. Initially I declined their offer for different reasons, but God brought us back together again after many months.

2. Do you have something you do before you begin recording to get into a certain mindset?

Before each recording session I say a prayer, and try to get into my “Brother Andrew” character. He is a character that I envision to be sitting in a quiet cabin reading through a copy of the part of the Bible he finished copying. This character helps me to get into the right mode and pace of reading.

3. What is the biggest challenge of reading the entire Bible?

The biggest challenge in reading the Bible in its entirety, is staying in character with the same vocal tones, rythyms, etc.

4. What do you do aside from being one of the voices of Dwell?

My regular job is an actor/voice actor.

5. Have you ever done voice work before?

I have done voice work many times throughout my career. I’ve done everything from voice acting for an animated film, to voice acting for Japanese anime.

Mark’s Favorites

• Snack: Nut butter filled Clif Bars
• Band: Coldplay
• Book of the Bible: Love Psalms, Revelation, Micah
• Superhero movie: Wolverine
• Hobby: Reading about different speculative subjects

8. What drew you to join Dwell?

What drew me to join the Dwell team was the goal of showcasing the Scriptures vocally in a whole different light. Using original art/music etc. with the different styles of voices was incredible to me.

What is one thing you’ve learned since you started recording the Scriptures?

The one thing I’m learning since starting the recording sessions is to always be patient with myself. This is a huge deal for me. As an actor, I have a hard time with that, believe me!

9. Has being involved with this project changed your outlook of the Bible?

Being involved with this project has made me more attune to the Scriptures in general. There are some passages I’ve recorded that I never had heard before believe it or not.

Felix is one of our incredible Dwell voices, we’re so blessed to have him. From Kenya, Felix’s warm and expressive voice keep you engaged as you listen to Scriptures. We asked him a few questions so you can get to know him a little more.

1. Tell us about your audition with Dwell; how you heard about it and the process of becoming a voice.

I found an ad on craigslist, and I got excited because it was a Bible App and it was something concerning the gospel. So many people had discouraged me because of my accent because I’m from Africa. But I love the Bible so much and I would read it out loud in church and people were really excited because I read with a lot of passion, so when I saw the ad I knew I had to audition. After that, everything changed. I met Jon and Josh and they were so welcoming and excited about my voice; I don’t think I’ve ever met two people who have such a passion for spreading the gospel.

2. Do you have something you do before you begin recording to get into a certain mindset?

I always have to get myself ready to travel through both the new and old testament. I feel as though I’m preparing my reading for the listener.

3. What is the biggest challenge of reading the entire Bible?

I get so excited about it, but it’s such a big book and it takes a long time, and I am looking forward to getting it out there for the listeners to begin to experience and change the world.

4. What do you do aside from one of the voices of Dwell?

I work at in a packing and shipping warehouse.

5. Have you ever done voice work before?

No, just reading in church.

Felix’s Favorites

• Snack: Cake
• Band: Hillsong United
• Book of the Bible: John
• Superhero movie: Superman
•  Hobby: Photography

8. What is one thing you’ve learned since you started recording the Scriptures?

That the Scriptures are the Living Word. It applies to all parts of our lives, past present and future. 

9. Has being involved with this project changed your outlook of the Bible?

Yes, I have learned to understand more about the Bible and I feel so excited that we are going to make a difference and spread the Word of Jesus Christ.

Gregory is one of our incredible Dwell voices, we’re so blessed to have him. As our resident storyteller his dramatized reads bring the Scriptures to life and really engage the listener. We asked him a few questions so you can get to know him a little better. 

1. Tell us about your audition with Dwell; how you heard about it and the process of becoming a voice.

My audition with Dwell was a very pleasant experience. Jon and Josh are very direct in their focus and vision, and have a heart for making listening to the Bible easy to understand. Of course in today’s world convenience is everything, so making the Bible easily accessible is now possible.

As a former radio guy, it is a pleasure to work with them to lend sort of a different storytelling voice to the exceptional list of narrators that are currently listed with Dwell.

2. Do you have something you do before you begin recording to get into a certain mindset?
Before I begin reading, I practice the text the night before to add a bit of passion and enhance the listening experience, and give the listener a closer, more personal listen. I try to read as if the listener were right there experiencing the situation firsthand.

3. What is the biggest challenge of reading the entire Bible?

The biggest challenge to me is to paint a picture or create an impact on the listener as he or she follows along. So much of the Bible is a story within a story. The triumphs and failures of regular people, like you and me, who simply by trusting God’s word, can be victorious through Jesus Christ. God used regular, ordinary people to do extraordinary things and I think that is just how God works. He chooses those that come to Him with a humble and contrite spirit.

4. What do you do aside from one of the voices of Dwell?

I have my hobbies and everything… They’re mostly voice and communication related. I’m trying to get into other types of things like getting more into the engineering side of producing. I’m also trying to improve my writing skills.

More than that, I’m trying to get better with narration and voiceover. That’s the main thing. I’m doing that by studying on my craft, following the Holy Spirit as it leads, and to be a more impactful, influential narrator. 

Also, I really want to expand the use of voice for the sake of experience. Different dialects, publishing/narrating/writing faith-based children’s books are some things I’d like to get into eventually. I think thats what’s next for me.

5. Have you ever done voice work before?

Well, I was a howling, screaming, top 40 radio voice back in the mid-to-late 80’s. Then transitioned into a smooth Jazz RnB voice. I even did Country music as well at one point and that was a lot of fun. There was always something radio-oriented. Radio has changed a lot since then, though.

6. What is your favorite Bible story?

My mom used to read the story of David and Goliath to me when I was about 4 years old. Back in those days you could go to a store and get all of your favorite Bible stories. That’s still my favorite story. It kind of lit up a young boy, so unlikely and so unassuming, but with his steadfast and unwavering faith, he killed Goliath the giant and became the champion and king of Israel. Of course as I grew older I learned of David’s frailties and how, even though he fell short so many times, he learned to quickly acknowledge his guilt, understood that he could do nothing without the Lord’s help, and repented and received God’s grace and mercy, just as you and I would today.

In fact, to me, its the whole premise of why Jesus Christ came and died for us.

7. Has being involved with this project changed your outlook of the Bible?

Being involved with Dwell has helped bring all of the stories of the Bible together for me, full circle. We all have our favorite Scriptures and stories. Now its easier for me to tie all of those stories together because I sort of narrate the Bible in a storytelling form. It helped me tie them all together, full circle. I realized that the Bible is the greatest story, rather the collection of stories, ever told.

Rosie is one of our incredible Dwell voices, we’re so blessed to have her. From Northern England, Rosie’s soft and relaxed voice lends itself nicely to a contemplative Scripture-listening experience. We asked her a few questions so you can get to know her a little more. 

1. Tell us about your audition with Dwell; how you heard about it and the process of becoming a voice.

I heard about the Dwell audition through a friend who worked for Lightstock. I had honestly forgot about it for a month or so and then one night I had been praying for discipline with reading the bible. The next day my friend called me and reminded me of the app audition and it felt like God was giving me a nudge in the right direction. I recorded some scripture at home and sent it in and everyone seemed to like it! So I was brought in a week later to the studio for a second audition and offered a job soon after.

2. Do you have something you do before you begin recording to get into a certain mindset?

I try and be mindful of the responsibility I have before reading. I just like to sit in the quiet and read through what I’m about to start with and try to tune out any distractions from regular life.

3. What is the biggest challenge of reading the entire Bible?

Conveying the tone that, I believe, the authors were. Sometimes it takes me a few minutes to realize the underlying message of a verse or chapter before I can hear it clearly in my head and how it should be spoken aloud. I feel like I have a responsibility through my voice to create a connection to the listener and God through the verse; I don’t want to be using the wrong tone and turn the listener away!

4. What do you do aside from one of the voices of Dwell?

I work on a communications team for an organization called Greater Europe Mission – they send missionaries across Europe to spread the Gospel. I also volunteer with an anti-trafficking organization called Treasured Vessels Foundation on their communications team. I am also married and have a tiny puppy! 

5. Have you ever done voice work before?

I have done podcasts for the missions organization but never voice work professionally.  

Rosie’s Favorites

• Snack: Sushi
• Band: Mumford & Sons
• Book of the Bible: Psalms
• Marvel movie: Black Panther
• Hobby: Photography

6. What drew you to join Dwell?

It was an idea I instantly believed in. When I heard the other voices I realized the potential for the app to reach people across the world and to connect people to the word in an important, new way. 

7. What is one thing you’ve learned since you started recording the Scriptures?

 To be patient with myself and lean on God more. Sometimes it can be frustrating rereading the same verse again and again due to my own error, but I have learned that it’s ok to make mistakes, even when reading the bible, and that ultimately God has got me where I’m meant to be. 

8. Has being involved with this project changed your outlook of the Bible?

Absolutely. Personally I am impatient and can scan through the bible too quickly and not let it really sink in. But reading it aloud multiple times has allowed me to soak it in and find a deep meaning behind each chapter – I love it!