A Story Worth Sharing:  From Persecutor to Preacher

 Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12–17

This week at Central, we continued our series A Story Worth Sharing. Pastor Sarah reflected on Paul’s powerful testimony — a story that begins not with triumph, but with failure. Before he became the great missionary of the early church, Paul (then Saul) was a persecutor of Christians, complicit in violence against the followers of Jesus. Yet rather than hide his past, Paul put it front and center. He called himself “the biggest sinner of all,” not to wallow in shame, but to magnify the endless patience and transforming grace of God.

In a world that prizes highlight reels and carefully curated stories, Paul’s example reminds us that God doesn’t want the edited version of our lives. Grace shines brightest in the broken places, and our most painful chapters can become powerful testimonies of hope. By leading with vulnerability, Paul shows us that no one is beyond God’s reach — and that our stories, even the hardest ones, can open doors for others to encounter mercy and healing.

🌀 Reflection Questions:

1. What part of your story have you found difficult to share because of shame or fear of judgment? How might sharing these honest parts of your journey open the door for healing and transformation by God’s grace?
2. How can acknowledging our shared experiences of failure and brokenness strengthen our relationships within the church community? In what ways can we create a safe space for one another to tell these whole stories without shame?
3. Paul’s testimony reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. How does knowing that God’s redemption includes the totality of your story influence how you view yourself and your journey with Christ?

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