Step #1:
Pray for a message as you read, re-read and meditate on the Bible text.

Step #2:
Ask four questions:-

Question #1: What do my students need to know? In the light of my study this week, in the light of what I know of my group, in light of my prayer time and what God is saying to me. In light of all of that, what do my students need to know. Summarize it down to one key thought.

Question #2: Why do they need to know it? In just about every teaching, we do well to say, "This is why it is important." What will happen if they discover this truth and this truth really gets a hold of them? What is at stake? What happens if they don't?

Question #3: What do they need to do? What do you want them to do in response to what you have said? Be specific. Be creative. You don't have to ask for some big, monumental change. Oftentimes, a baby step in the right direction is better.

For example. Suppose you are doing a teaching on prayer. The bottom line could be, "So, pray!" A better approach might be to challenge the group to set their alarm clock 7 minutes earlier just for this week and spend seven minutes with God before they start their day this week.

Question #4: Why do they need to do it? Do a little vision casting. I might say, "Imagine a church where every group leader embraced the vision of 2 Timothy 2.2? What would it mean for the teachers? What would it mean for the world? What would it mean for the next generation who grew up in a church like that?

Question #5: What can I do to help them remember? How can I say it in a way they have never heard it before? How can I say it in a way they will remember? How can I be creative? What props might I use? What questions might I ask? How can I make it stick?
There are only so many variables that affect the quality of teaching:

• How much God-given talent you possess.
• The literature that you use. (This has only a modest effect)
• The amount of time and effort you spend on the lesson.
• The amount of time you spend evaluating your teaching.
• The number and quality of training you participate in.

If you are committed to being the best teacher you can be, start making a life-long commitment to improve your teaching. Listen to a recording of your own teaching. You will definitely discover countless ways to improve. If you really want to improve, watch a video. If you really, really want to improve, have your Superintendent or some other person skilled in teaching to watch it with you.

Extracted from “Communicating for a Change” by Andy Stanley