Resources
Everything Bubba needs in his digital toolkit — curated, plain-language, and ready to use.
Bible Apps & Reading
You need a Bible you'll actually open. These three apps are free, solid, and work on any phone. Pick one and stick with it.
The most widely used Bible app in the world. Hundreds of translations, reading plans, and a side-by-side translation feature that makes confusing passages easier to understand.
Get YouVersion →The go-to tool when you want to dig deeper. Word studies, commentaries, original Greek and Hebrew definitions — all free. More powerful than it looks.
Get Blue Letter Bible →Raymond's personal pick. Clean interface, multiple translations, and built-in study tools that don't get in the way. A great daily driver for reading and note-taking.
Get Life Bible →Not sure which Bible translation to use? Our bro site Disciple Blueprint has a full breakdown: How to Choose the Best Bible Version. Short answer: start with the NIV or NLT.
Prayer Tools
Prayer doesn't require an app. But having a structure and a way to keep track helps — especially when you're just getting started.
Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. A simple four-part structure that gives your prayer life direction without making it feel like a formula. Disciple Blueprint has a full guide on how to use it.
Read the ACTS Guide →A simple prayer list app that helps you keep track of who and what you're praying for. Set reminders, log answered prayers, and build a habit. Clean and easy to use.
Get Echo Prayer →A notebook and a pen. Write down what you're praying for, date it, and come back when God answers. Seeing answered prayers on paper does something to your faith that an app can't replicate.
Finding a Local Church
You can't do this alone. Finding a local church where you can actually show up and be known is one of the most important things a new Christian can do. Here's how to find one.
Search by zip code to find churches that hold to solid biblical teaching. A good starting point if you don't know where to look.
Find a Church →Search by denomination, location, or church size. Broad directory that covers most denominations if you already know what you're looking for.
Search Churches →"Bible-teaching church near me" in Google Maps is often the fastest way to find something local. Read the reviews, check what they believe, and show up on a Sunday.
Disciple Blueprint
When you're ready to go deeper, this is where you go. Same mission, more content, built for the Christian who wants the full picture.
The Sideline Warrior is the guided trail. Disciple Blueprint is the full library. Bible study methods, prayer guides, theological deep dives, a Scripture reference library, and a growing content catalog — all built to make fully devoted followers of Christ. When you've finished the trail and want to keep going, this is your next stop.
Visit Disciple Blueprint →Using AI as a Christian
Most Christians are either afraid of AI or think it can't be trusted for anything spiritual. After nearly two years of using it to create Christian content, here's the honest breakdown.
Yes — with your eyes open. AI is genuinely useful for Bible study, historical context, and understanding theology. It's not perfect. It can occasionally misquote Scripture (always verify the actual verse), and it can reflect assumptions you don't share if you don't give it context. Treat it like a knowledgeable study partner, not an authority. The Holy Spirit is the authority. AI is a tool.
Give it context before you ask your question. Tell it where you're coming from. Something like: "I attend a Baptist church and hold to traditional Baptist theology. I believe in the authority of Scripture and salvation by grace through faith alone." That one sentence changes the quality of everything it gives you. AI responds to context — the more it knows about your theological framework, the more useful its answers become.
- Historical and cultural background on a Bible passage
- Word studies — what does this Greek or Hebrew word actually mean
- Understanding opposing theological views side by side
- Bible study outlines and discussion questions
- Explaining a passage in plain language
- Ideation — brainstorming angles on a topic before you study
- Summarizing long passages or books of the Bible
- Spiritual direction or major life decisions
- A substitute for actually reading Scripture
- Replacing your pastor or a trusted Christian mentor
- Final authority on any theological question
- Anything you won't verify against the Bible itself
Prompts to Try
"Explain John 3:16 like I just got saved last week and don't know any church language. Keep it simple and plain."
"I attend a Baptist church and hold to traditional Baptist theology. I believe in salvation by grace through faith alone. Can you give me the historical and cultural background on the book of Romans and explain why Paul wrote it?"
"What does the Greek word 'agape' actually mean, and how is it different from the other Greek words for love? Give me a plain-language explanation with a couple of Bible examples."
"I hold to traditional Baptist theology. Present the main theological positions on the topic of eternal security — both those who believe a Christian can lose their salvation and those who don't — with the key Scripture passages each side uses. Don't tell me which is right. Just lay out both sides fairly."
Recommended Reading
Books Raymond would personally hand a new Christian. More titles coming — this list will grow.
A deeply personal look at grief, faith, and what it means to trust God through the hardest losses.
View on Amazon →An honest, practical look at building a real prayer life — written for the Christian who wants to pray but doesn't know where to start.
View on Amazon →A former atheist journalist investigates the evidence for Jesus. One of the best books for a new Christian who has questions or doubts.
View on Amazon →More titles coming soon. All book links are Amazon affiliate links — purchasing through them supports The Sideline Warrior at no extra cost to you.