What’s a Christian to Do with the Enneagram?

I find the brain fascinating. How God created each person beautifully unique, yet with similar traits, is humbling and amazing. That’s probably why I have enjoyed learning about personalities. It has helped me understand myself, work with others, and better parent my kids.

My favorite personality resource is the Enneagram. This guide became very popular about 7-8 years ago, with The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron being one of the most popular books on the topic.  Now, there are a plethora of books, Bible studies, podcasts, and resources dedicated to the topic.

Read the podcast transcript.

The Enneagram: My Favorite Personality Tool

If you are unfamiliar with the Enneagram, it is a personality system that categorizes people into nine distinct types. Each type or number represents a different way of thinking, feeling, and behaving. This framework provides self-awareness and personal growth by highlighting core motivations, fears, and desires.

Understanding my Enneagram number helped me understand why I do and feel what I do. Through humility and the truth of God’s Word, I have been able to grow in self-awareness to understand who I am and why I see and relate to the world the way I do. This, in turn, helps me understand other people better. One of my favorite parts is understanding the healthy and unhealthy tendencies of my personality. The Enneagram has been instrumental to my spiritual journey and learning to love others well.

But the Enneagram is Evil

I understand that the origin of the Enneagram is questionable and there is worry that it categorizes people too rigidly. Personally, I have seen God use it for good, and when used through the lens of the Scriptures, the Enneagram is a tool for better understanding yourself and others. It is not an end-all, be-all and should never be used to shame, blame, or make excuses. It is also not an excuse for sin in my life. I invite you to listen to this podcast episode as Melanie shares her convictions about the Enneagram after research and prayer.

Introducing The Enneagram for Teens

With this background, I was excited for the opportunity to review a new book, The Enneagram for Teens by Ainsley Britain. It is a gentler explanation of the Enneagram and provides insight into aspects that teens are more concerned about like career choices, relationships, spiritual growth, and dating. God reminded me of several approaches that I need to change in helping my kids stay healthy and in talking to them during conflict. It is also a reminder of how I can better pray for my kiddos.

Whether you are new to the Enneagram or you simply want to understand your teens better, I highly suggest you check out Ainsley’s book. Then, be sure to check out the chart below!

Free Enneagram Chart

Using information from The Enneagram for Teens, The Road Back to You, as well as my personal experience, I have created a Free Enneagram Chart to help you keep fresh in your mind what you learn about the different types. While the details may not make sense without reading the books, I hope this chart will serve as a helpful companion to your learning.

BTW – I am a textbook #1.  How about you?

Update: I do not feel wrong about drawing basic personality characteristics from the two Christian enneagram books I have read. It has been brought to my attention that some rogue “Christian” leaders of whom I am not familiar with have/are using the enneagram in non-biblical ways. I am not supporting or tied to them in anyway. As with everything that you gather from this ministry, if God tells you not to do it, don’t.

Thank you to FrontGateMedia for the opportunity to review this book. Thoughts are 100% my own.