Lessons · Wed Sep 16, 2026 · Life Preparation
Overcoming Procrastination
Exodus 16:4–5, 14–22, 27; Matthew 25:1–13; 1 Corinthians 10:13
The principle
As we act with faith in Him, the Savior will help us overcome the temptation to procrastinate.
What the lesson is for
Help students name the one assignment they are avoiding and the reason they are avoiding it, and take the first step on it today rather than resolving to try harder.
Personal study, first ten minutes
Exodus 16:4–5, 14–22, 27
The manna had rules. What happened to it if they left it overnight? What happened if they did not gather in the morning? Why was the day before the Sabbath different?
The deck
Click any card to see it full size.
Teacher notes
Supplies, board work and timing. Never printed on the cards.
SUPPLIES: a small cooler of ice cubes and paper towels — one cube per student, set out at the start and NOT touched again until the end. It melts through the whole class, which is the point: 'when the sun waxed hot, it melted' (Exodus 16:21). FALLBACK if ice is impractical at 6:20am: the manna picture and the account alone still carry the lesson; skip to step 2. FOURTH AND LAST of the Succeed in School arc (192–195) — say so, and say that Lesson 195 was deliberately held back for a day when the semester had gotten heavy enough for it to matter. THE MANNA RULES are the whole object lesson: left overnight it bred worms and stank (v20), ungathered in the morning it melted (v21), and none fell on the Sabbath so a double portion had to be gathered the day before (v22, 27). ELDER RANDALL K. BENNETT is the mercy in this lesson — 'We fail only if we fail to take another faithful step forward.' Lead with that, not with guilt; a 6:20am seminary class is already full of tired students who feel behind. Do not let the strategy list become a lecture — get it on the board from THEM.
Journal prompt
The last five minutes. Card 1 hands into this.
Finish the sentence honestly: "I procrastinate my schoolwork ___ often, and a reason I procrastinate is ___." Then name the one assignment you are avoiding, write the smallest possible first step, and write the time today you will take it.