Chapter 9

"God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:9

Jesus treated all people with dignity. He treated people like human beings (imagine if she just try that:>)

Our job description: developing friendships

We have to stop judging people from our frame of reference, thinking that we know what they should have done, or how we would have handled it better

Love them and Love God and Love them for God

Feeling His pain draws us into deeper communion with Jesus. That is such an amazing concept! It made me so happy to know that all of the despair that I feel when I think about the overwhelming problems in the world is straight from the heart of God. He feels the same pain when He looks at His precious children and sees their pain. We are supposed to have a heart for His world.

Let us not exagerate our part of the partnership. We just show up.

1. In what ways do you identify with Kay's perception of prostitutes at the opening of this chapter? How would you compare them to your own perceptions of people who are HIV positive?

2. Kay writes, "There were profound spiritual truths hidden in that encounter with these outcast women." Discuss the truths you find in this encouter and identify the most unexpected insight you gain.

3. Reread the story of Kay's encounter with Pastor Mike. Choose one sentence you would most like to discuss and turn it into a question for your group to discuss.

4. Read the following verses recounting the emotions that Jesus felt:
Matthew 21:12
Matthew 23:37
Luke 13:15-16
Luke 17:2
John 11:35
Compare those emotions to what you have felt as you have read this book so
far.

5. How would you describe Kay's discovery that transformed her despair and hopelessness into an unexpected bond with Jesus?

6. The title of this chapter is "An Unexpected Bond." Select one unexpected insight that you have found particularly meaningful.