What if the Group Continues to Get Off Topic?

Seven tips to stay on track

Multi-person discussions naturally meander. You don't want to be too rigid, but you also don't want to have a meeting full of rabbit trails. Try to keep the balance between tight focus and some wiggle room. A helpful analogy is sailing. A sailor doesn't hold on tightly to the rope, locking the sail in a single position. This actually gets the boat to the destination slower than if one held on loosely to the rope, letting the sail fully catch the shifting winds. Each small group moves at its own pace and rhythm based on its unique chemistry. Discern what your group's pace and rhythm are and direct the study and discussion accordingly.

Here are some pointers that can help groups that have trouble staying on topic. To read more, click here.