The Enneagram is a personality typing system that divides people into nine distinct personality types. It is a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal and spiritual growth, helping people better understand themselves and others - and it continues to grow in popularity. In this blog, we will explore what the Enneagram is, how it works, its benefits, and how it can help you become a better Jesus follower.
What is the Enneagram?
As highlighted above, the Enneagram is a personality typing system that divides people into nine distinct personality types. Each type is defined by a set of core motivations, fears, desires, and behaviors that shape a person’s worldview and approach to life. The Enneagram has its roots in ancient spiritual traditions, but it has evolved over time to become a popular self-help tool used in many different contexts, including personal growth, relationships, and professional and spiritual development.
Despite the Enneagram being labeled as a self-help tool, it goes beyond the typical new-age philosophy of personal development. Understanding how your personality works can help you become a person you understands themselves better, which can help you serve Jesus better.
How does the Enneagram work?
The Enneagram is based on the idea that each person has a dominant personality type that shapes their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This type is determined by a set of core motivations and fears that drive a person’s actions. The Enneagram helps people identify their dominant type and understand how it influences their behavior and relationships with other and themselves.
The Enneagram is typically presented as a nine-pointed diagram, with each point representing a different personality type. Individuals can identify their type by exploring the core motivations, fears, and desires associated with each point and determining which one resonates most strongly with them.
There are also many online tools that can help you determine your Enneagram type. We recommend a few different ones depending on if you want a free, surface-level assessment or a more in-depth one for a cost. You can find those recommendations on our article called How You Can Learn Your Personality Type.
What are the benefits of the Enneagram?
The Enneagram offers many benefits for people looking to understand themselves and others better. By identifying your dominant type, you can gain insight into your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth. You can also learn how to communicate more effectively with others who have different personality types and develop greater empathy and compassion. The Enneagram is also a useful tool for personal growth and development. By understanding your dominant type and its associated behaviors, you can work to overcome negative patterns and develop healthier habits and ways of relating to others.
How can the Enneagram help you be a better Jesus follower?
Understanding your core motivations and fears can help you relate to Jesus better, just as it can help you interact with others better. Getting a grasp on what makes you tick will help you think creatively about how you can connect better to Jesus.
For example, people who are Enneagram 2s love to serve others. Knowing that about themselves can encourage and empower them to look for ways to serve their community. Instead of finding opportunities that separate 2s from people, an Enneagram 2 is more conscious to move toward opportunities that best suit their gifts.
Likewise, an Enneagram 5 may connect to Jesus better in nature rather than surrounded by people. If they know that about themselves, they are able to find alone time instead of loading up their social calendar like an Enneagram 7 might.
Conclusion
The Enneagram is a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal growth that has gained significant popularity in recent years. By identifying your dominant type and exploring its associated motivations, fears, and desires, you can gain insight into yourself and others and develop greater empathy, compassion, and self-awareness. Whether used in personal or spiritual growth, relationships, or professional development, the Enneagram has the potential to help you unlock your full potential and live a more fulfilling life.
