Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Contents
Title Page
Introduction to the Teacher Manual
Old Testament Lessons
- Welcome to the Old Testament
- Moses 1; Abraham 3
- Genesis 1–2; Moses 2–3; Abraham 4–5
- Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5
- Genesis 5; Moses 6
- Moses 7
- Genesis 6–11; Moses 8
- Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2
- Genesis 18–23
- Genesis 24–33
- Genesis 37–41
- Genesis 42–50
- Exodus 1–6
- Easter
- Exodus 7–13
- Exodus 14–18
- Exodus 19–20; 24; 31–34
- Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1; 4; 16; 19
- Numbers 11–14; 20–24; 27
- Deuteronomy 6–8; 15; 18; 29–30; 34
- Joshua 1–8; 23–24
- Judges 2–4; 6–8; 13–16
- Ruth; 1 Samuel 1–7
- 1 Samuel 8–10; 13; 15–16
- 1 Samuel 17–18; 24–26; 2 Samuel 5–7
- 2 Samuel 11–12; 1 Kings 3; 6–9; 11
- 1 Kings 12–13; 17–22
- 2 Kings 2–7
- 2 Kings 16–25
- 2 Chronicles 14–20; 26; 30
- Ezra 1, 3–7; Nehemiah 2; 4–6; 8
- Esther
- Job 1–3; 12–14; 19; 21–24; 38–40; 42
- Psalms 1–2; 8; 19–33; 40; 46
- Psalms 49–51; 61–66; 69–72; 77–78; 85–86
- Psalms 102–103; 110; 116–119; 127–128; 135–139; 146–150
- Proverbs 1–4; 15–16; 22; 31; Ecclesiastes 1–3; 11–12
- Isaiah 1–12
- Isaiah 13–14; 22; 24–30; 35
- Isaiah 40–49
- Isaiah 50–57
- Isaiah 58–66
- Jeremiah 1–3; 7; 16–18; 20
- Jeremiah 31–33; 36–38; Lamentations 1; 3
- Ezekiel 1–3; 33–34; 36–37; 47
- Daniel 1–7
- Hosea; Joel
- Amos; Obadiah; Jonah
- Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah
- Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 1–4; 7–14
- Malachi
Life Preparation Lessons
- Doctrinal Mastery: Finding Answers to My Questions
- Scripture Study Skills
- For the Strength of Youth Guide
- Building Self–Reliance
- Physical and Emotional Health
- Preparing for Future Education and Employment
- Succeed in School
- Missionary Preparation
- Temple Preparation
- Teachings of Church Leaders
Appendix

Overcoming Procrastination: Learning to Avoid Delay in Schoolwork

“Overcoming Procrastination: Learning to Avoid Delay in Schoolwork,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)

“Overcoming Procrastination: Learning to Avoid Delay in Schoolwork,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual

Succeed in School: Lesson 195

Overcoming Procrastination

Learning to Avoid Delay in Schoolwork

A young woman sitting at a table in her home. Books and papers are spread out in front of her. She is holding a pen.

How often do you find yourself not finishing required tasks or assignments? Although we all struggle with delay, it can be a common temptation to procrastinate schoolwork. When we work to overcome this tendency, this is one way we heed the Savior’s warnings to avoid procrastination (see Matthew 25:1–13). This lesson can help students identify ways to overcome the temptation to procrastinate schoolwork.

Student preparation: Invite students to come prepared with some of the reasons teenagers might procrastinate their schoolwork. Encourage them to prepare to share what they have done to stay current with their school tasks and assignments.

Possible Learning Activities

Faith in Jesus Christ leads to action

To begin class, consider having a general discussion about the temptation to procrastinate. You could ask questions like the following.

What are some typical things teenagers tend to procrastinate?
What are some of the reasons teenagers might give for procrastinating these things? What might the consequences be?

After the discussion, you could share that today students will have an opportunity to focus on overcoming the temptation to procrastinate their schoolwork.
What are some of the reasons it can be challenging to get started on or finish tasks or assignments?

You could then display a picture of the Israelites gathering manna. If students have already studied Lesson 47: “Exodus 16,” consider inviting students to share what they remember. If they did not study this account, you might briefly share the following summary.

Gathering food in the wilderness was difficult for the Israelites. One morning they awoke to find that the Lord had miraculously provided daily food the Israelites would call manna.

Read Exodus 16:4–5, 14–15, looking for the Lord’s instruction for how manna was to be gathered.

What could this miracle teach us about the Lord?

Read Exodus 16:18–22, 27, looking for some of the consequences of procrastinating gathering the manna or not gathering the double portion the day before the Sabbath.

What stood out to you?

Students might share that if the Israelites left manna on the ground until the next day, it “bred worms, and stank” (verse 20). If they did not gather in the morning it would melt (verse 21). No manna would be provided on the Sabbath, so not gathering a double portion the day before would mean they went hungry (verse 27).
How could this account apply to a teenager’s temptation to procrastinate their schoolwork?

Students might point out that similar to how the manna would spoil or melt if people procrastinated gathering it, procrastinating schoolwork can lead to negative consequences or even missed opportunities.
What are some consequences of procrastinating schoolwork that you or others you know have seen?

Do not idle away your time

To help us understand the importance of overcoming the temptation to procrastinate, Elder Randall K. Bennett of the Seventy remarked:

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[W]e must counter the natural man’s tendency to procrastinate, to put off, or to give up.

As we progress along the covenant path, we will make mistakes, some multiple times … But faith in Heavenly Father and in Jesus Christ is a principle of action and power. If we are willing to act, we will be blessed with the strength to repent and with the strength to change.

We fail only if we fail to take another faithful step forward. We will not, we cannot, fail if we are faithfully yoked to the Savior—He who has never failed and will never fail us! (“Your Next Step,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 75) (time code 7:37 to 8:31)

How would you summarize what Elder Bennett is teaching about overcoming procrastination?

Help students identify a truth like as we act with faith in Him, the Savior will help us overcome the temptation to procrastinate. To help students understand this truth, you might ask the following:
How could understanding this truth help someone who is trying to overcome the temptation to procrastinate their schoolwork?

Prayerfully consider how well you complete school tasks and assignments on time. Then finish the following statement in your study journal.

I (always, sometimes, rarely, and so on) procrastinate my schoolwork. A reason I procrastinate is .

Help students understand that identifying why we procrastinate can help us correct an unhelpful habit or prevent it from forming. You might reassure students that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have promised to help us escape the temptations we face (see 1 Corinthians 10:13).

Although it is common to struggle with procrastination, we act with faith in the Savior when we work to overcome this temptation. Invite the Holy Ghost to help you recognize ways Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can enhance your efforts to overcome the temptation to procrastinate your schoolwork.

Increase your ability to overcome procrastination

What are some strategies that you have tried to help you resist the temptation to procrastinate your schoolwork?

Consider inviting students to make a list on the board. If they need help, you could share a few of the following strategies.

Take a few moments each morning to pray to Heavenly Father, asking for His power to help you remember and accomplish schoolwork tasks.
Set aside a regular time each day for schoolwork.
Take short, regular breaks to refresh your mind and refocus.
Identify distractions and put them away. This may include a phone, computer, or book.
Organize a study group with classmates who have the same school assignments.
Find a quiet place to work. Our surroundings can impact our ability to focus.
Choose someone you trust who can help you stay focused and complete tasks and assignments.
Plan a reward for accomplishing a specific task to celebrate your success and hard work.

After students have identified some strategies to overcome procrastination, consider displaying the following scenario and instructions. You could provide art supplies for students to use for their display.

Max is procrastinating (studying for a test, completing an assignment or project, and so on) because .

Create a poster or infographic that could help motivate a student like Max to overcome the temptation to procrastinate. Include the following in your poster.

A doctrinal mastery or other scripture passage that could help Max rely on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for help overcoming this temptation.
One or more of the strategies you feel would be helpful for Max to use while overcoming procrastination.

If students need help finding a scripture passage, you could share examples such as Joshua 24:15; Proverbs 3:5–6; Doctrine and Covenants 58:26–27; 88:124. Or they could illustrate a scripture story that could demonstrate the consequences of procrastinating, like the story of the Israelites gathering manna or Noah building the ark (Genesis 7:1–10).

We can start today

Allow time for groups to share their poster with the class. You might invite students to share experiences they have had working to overcome the temptation to procrastinate.

Ponder some of the ways to overcome procrastination that were shared today. Prayerfully select a strategy you feel would be helpful the next time you are tempted to procrastinate your schoolwork. Write this strategy in your study journal or on a sticky note or text it to yourself.

You might provide an opportunity for willing students to share what they felt impressed to try.

It might be helpful to remind students that any effort to do better is a demonstration of their faith in Jesus Christ. Help them recognize that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will help us in our efforts, even when we struggle.

Additional Resources

What has the Savior taught about procrastination?

Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

As disciples of the Savior, we are expected to plan and prepare … The Savior emphasized this throughout His ministry, including in His parables of the foolish virgins and the talents. In each of these, the Lord commended preparation and action and condemned procrastination and idleness. (“Shipshape and Bristol Fashion: Be Temple Worthy—in Good Times and Bad Times,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 40)

What if I find it hard to overcome procrastination?

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reminded us:

I learned early in life, there is no need to wait for a new year to have a fresh start in my personal life. With every new day, a new dawn comes—not only for the earth but also for you and me. And with every new day comes a new start—a chance to begin again and avoid the danger of procrastination. (Facebook.com/dieterf.uchtdorf, Jan. 5, 2021)

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reminded us:

God cares a lot more about who we are and who we are becoming than about who we once were. He cares that we keep on trying. (“Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 56)

Why is it unwise to procrastinate?

President Thomas S. Monson cautioned:

[Procrastination] is the thief of our self-respect. It nags at us and spoils our fun. It deprives us of the fullest realization of our ambitions and hopes. (“The Lighthouse of the Lord,” New Era, Feb. 2001, 8)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Smaller steps to avoid procrastination

If students would benefit from creating a plan that could help someone overcome the temptation to procrastinate, you could have them replicate the activity found in “Make the Choice: Preparation or Procrastination” (New Era, Nov. 2012, 27). Students could identify a bigger project that they have or will have in the future. Working with a partner, students could create a step-by-step plan that could be helpful accomplishing a larger assignment. Students might discuss the following as they create their plan.

What are some things you could do to act with faith in Jesus Christ in your preparations?
How might Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ magnify your efforts to be prepared for this assignment?

Students could share their plan with the class.

The proverb of the sluggard

As an option for their visual display that warns of the dangers of procrastination, students could use the story of the sluggard (a very lazy person) and the ant from Proverbs 6:6–11. Students could read the passage and illustrate it as a comic strip.

In the last box of the comic strip, students could include some of the Savior’s teachings about avoiding idleness, the value of work, or moving forward with faith in Him. If students need guidance, you could suggest passages like 1 Corinthians 9:24; 1 Nephi 3:7; Mosiah 4:27; Doctrine and Covenants 58:26–28.

The consequences of procrastination

As students share some of the consequences of procrastinating schoolwork, you might share the humorous example told by Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Seventy about his son in “Do It Now,” time code 0:00 to 2:13. Consider inviting students to share about when they or someone they know experienced a negative consequence of procrastination.

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