The Akridge Sunday School Class

We missed you Brenda! Hope you are feeling better!

As Thanksgiving draws near I can't help but notice how people approach the holidays. Some seem to be excited and ready to soak it all in, while others turn into Scrooge at the first display of decorations in the stores. I hope you and your family are able to use this time as a true time of reflection and thankfulness for the blessings in life. Don't let the hoopla of Halloween and Santa's arrival allow you to miss this time of giving thanks to our Lord. We are truly blessed. Just take a look around you. Hopefully as you begin to count your blessings you think of your spouse. We had great discussion this Sunday about God's Idea for Marriage. In a day where we are told to lookout for "number one," Ephesians reminds us to submit ourselves to one another.

I. Wives: Submit as service (Eph 5:22-24)
II. Husbands: Love as Christ Does (Eph. 5:25-30)
III. Both: Express a Complete Unity (Eph 5:31-33)

If you find yourself in a marriage where one is not fulfiling their role, the proper response is to pray for that spouse. Neither should try to take on the role of the other spouse, but rather pray that they will submit themselves to God's authority. Only the Holy Spirit can do the job of convicting and correcting. Here is a great link to a site that has helpful tips for praying for your spouse amongst other things http://www.thefathersbusiness.com/devotionals.php.

Our relationship with our spouse should never be manipulative or demanding one to live to the point of breaking the law or against God's word. Our relationship should help the world see the relationship of Christ and the Church.

Praises/Prayer Requests:

Krista-praise that she and her kids are getting well!
Lacy's- boys sick, & Jake is traveling.

Announcements:
Christmas Party-Friday, December 10th, 6:15-8:15pm @ the Thomas' home.
Childcare is available at church for preschool age through kindergarten. Older than
kindergarten need to contact Emily Wolfe for arrangements.
Preschool Parent's Night Out-Friday, December 10th, 6:00-6:30pm-you can register
online or call 228-1017.
Children's Harbor Mission project-Start collecting hygeine products to make gift kits for
February. More details to come.
Springville Schools project-Details coming. We will be providing snacks and support to the
Springville staff. Please be in prayer for our schools!

Sunday Lesson Recap:
Christians are to live by principles that demonstrate they are careful about their behavior.
Ephesians 5:15-21, Psalm 90:12, Romans 12:1-2

God controls eternal time, I choose the opportunities. Are you looking at life as a challenge or a threat? Paul urges us to live intentionally not just tossed about as life goes by. We should approach life with a plan and not waste our opportunities.

• Be wise with our time (Eph. 15-16)
• Be aware of God's Will (Eph. 5:17)
• Be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18-20)
• Be subject to one another(Eph:21)

Suggested Reading:http://www.christianbook.com/dont-waste-your-life/john-piper/9781581344981/pd/44988?kw=don

Making the most of every opportunity is a continual process of seeking God's will through a relationship with Him. We come to understand Him and His ways more and more through the basics of Bible Study, prayer, Godly counsel, circumstances, etc. As we come to know His ways better, we can come to understand His will generally and eventually specifically. His will in our specific circumstances will never contradict His word in Scripture. But to drown out the voices of this world, we must "be still and know that He is God." -Psalm 46:10

We should guard our actions and continually submit ourselves to the Spirit. This can be fleshed out through our speech, as we give thanks, and submitting ourselves to one another. Walking carefully is not living timidly or being a doormat. It is living in wisdom-the wisdom that God gives. It is living boldly in the confidence of who God is in our lives. As we submit to His control we open ourselves to the greatest opportunities possible.

Prayer Praises/Requests:

• Colburns-Praise:Expecting new baby! Please pray Jennifer feels better and gets relief from the pregnancy sickness
• Brenda-pray for Jim's ability to take his next treatment on Tuesday.
• Andrea-Please pray for family as they grieve the passing of her grandfather Lloyd Squires.

Announcements:

• Christmas party coming up Friday, December 10th. 6:15-8:15pm @ the Thomas' home
• Ministry project-providing snacks for Springville teachers; Children's Harbor project-details TBA

Announcements:
Time Change:
Don't forget to FALL BACK - Sunday, November 7, 2010
Set your clocks back one hour and enjoy an extra hour of sleep before coming to our Sunday Small group at 9:15am.

It's time to find your chair in a small group.
It's time to invite a guest to your small group.
It's time to pray for people to connect to a small group.

Help make Sunday, November 7 a great time for everyone!

Sunday, Ocotober 30-recap
Walk in Purity
Ephesians 5:1-14; 1 Jn 4:8, 1:5; Col 1:4-6, 2:8

Paul challenges us to be deliberate in our behavior and to be "immitators of God." His admonition to walk in love includes six characteristics our behavior should NOT be. The first three deal with our conduct and the next three with our speech. 1) We are not to have any hint of sexual immorality, 2) impurity, or 3)greed. We are also to keep our mouths pure of 1)obscenities, 2)foolish talk, or 3)coarse joking. In turn we should be full of thanksgiving.

• Brenda-Continue to pray for Jim's physical stamina and spiritual strength. He will have a test Monday to determine future procedure.
• Jason--an employee of a client has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She is scheduled for surgery this week then radiation for several weeks.