The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation
How Knowing Ourselves Can Make Us More Like Jesus
by AJ Sherrill
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Pub Date Sep 15 2020 | Archive Date Oct 30 2020
Baker Academic & Brazos Press | Brazos Press
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Description
But in this book, Sherrill goes deeper, exploring with Christians how the Enneagram can be a pathway to profound spiritual transformation. Sherrill reveals the Enneagram as a tool to unlock new ways of viewing identity, personality, discipleship, spiritual practices, evangelism, and the Bible.
Using this fresh approach, Sherrill shows how our true identity is that of a beloved child of God. Recognizing that, we can move confidently into the world expressing this identity through our unique personality.
Through Sherrill's detailed spiritual exploration of each type, readers will emerge viewing the Enneagram as a precious gift to following Jesus more closely. Foreword by Chuck DeGroat.
Advance Praise
“As the Enneagram has moved from the margins to the mainstream, it’s been both used and abused. Many of us know just enough to be dangerous! AJ’s recent work is hands down the best resource I know of for the Enneagram and spiritual formation. If the Enneagram is a map for the spiritual journey for different personality types, AJ is a wise, joyful guide for the road. No one should read this book who does not want to change; and anyone who has a deep ache for transformation in the way of Jesus should read this book.”—John Mark Comer, pastor of teaching and vision at Bridgetown Church; author of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
“AJ Sherrill beautifully rescues the Enneagram from the twin mistakes of either elevating it to the be-all, end-all of self-knowledge or reducing it to a parlor game. Through The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation, AJ helps us see the Enneagram as a powerful tool in the work of following Christ and being formed into his likeness. Pulling from Scripture, church history, culture, and wisdom from every corner, AJ brings fierce intelligence and profoundly helpful language to this entire conversation. And more than mere ideas, he offers a set of concrete practices for each type to help us flesh out the invitation in our lives, relationships, bodies, and whole selves.”—Aaron Niequist, liturgist; author of The Eternal Current
“AJ Sherrill has done it! Finally, a way to resource the Enneagram for meaningful discipleship. Through sound wisdom and regular invitations to reflection and practice, AJ calls readers to examine the fullness of who God created them to be and go deeper in life with Christ. Working alongside AJ, I’ve seen how he lives out these invitations in real time: in his church leadership, his personal relationships, and his own spiritual formation. He knows a valuable truth and has graciously shared it with all of us: No matter our God-given uniqueness, greater transformation and deeper life in Christ are possible. For that reason, this book is a must-read, must-share, must-live.”—Ashlee Eiland, formation and preaching pastor, Mars Hill Bible Church; author of Human(Kind)
“So much of what we learn from the Enneagram about ourselves and the people we love stops at simple self-awareness, which can easily become another exercise in self-centered navel-gazing. Thankfully, AJ Sherrill deepens and expands our endeavors, revealing how we can use the wisdom of the Enneagram to draw us closer to the heart of God. Having AJ equip our pastors and staff with the lessons and tools found here in The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation developed us in immediate and powerful ways. It will do the same for you.”—Sean Palmer, pastor and speaking coach; author of Forty Days on Being a Three (Enneagram Daily Reflections) and Unarmed Empire: In Search of Beloved Community
“The popularity of the Enneagram has spawned both critics and fanatics in the church. AJ Sherrill artfully connects the Enneagram typology with Scripture, theology, and Christian discipleship. This essential resource will help readers appreciate how personality shapes their faith journey.”—Mark Scandrette, adjunct professor, Fuller Theological Seminary; author of Practicing the Way of Jesus
“I am deeply grateful for AJ’s thoughtful leadership and commitment to forming people in the way of Jesus. He brings the full strength of his thinking around discipleship and spiritual formation to bear on the Enneagram, moving it from a mere construct to discipleship resource. I recommend this book as a helpful and practical tool in this discussion.”—Jon Tyson, lead pastor of Church of the City New York; author of Beautiful Resistance
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781587434723 |
| PRICE | $16.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 176 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Mark K, Educator
A.J. Sherrill’s “The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation” is one of the best books on the Enneagram out there! This book is profound in its depth and wisdom and will undoubtedly help folks know themselves and how God has wired them. Of course, this book will do more than inform, it will surely transform and help you live with love, integrity, and wisdom! I highly recommend it!
Felicia P, Reviewer
This book was SOOOO GOOD.
As an enneagram 4 I often find it hard to relate myself back yo my spiritual formation and this book really helped answer a lot of questions for me as well as give language to the enneagram on a more spiritual level.
I appreciated that the first couple of chapters were helping the reader to better understand the enneagram and then gave very useful and practical exercises to help people better fall into who God created them to be.
A Christian must read!
Educator 524849
I've been following AJ Sherrill's writings (and speaking) on the Enneagram around the internet ever since I stumbled on his dissertation online. I remember thinking to myself then that this guy should write a book!
I am honored to be able to preview AJ Sherrill's book, The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation.
The Enneagram is a tool and that our identity cannot be distilled down to a number are two very important themes that run throughout the book. One can sense AJ's commitment to our understanding of this in the way that the book always brings the reader back to The Maker and how he busts down the Enneagram myths from the jump. You also won't find the nuances of wings and subtypes to distract you from making the connection between how understanding ourselves as imago Dei helps us understand that our significance is because of whose we are, not who we are. AJ invites us to experience the tool of the Enneagram as aid in getting off the treadmill of competence, comparison and control.. A highly recommended read!
Lisa B, Reviewer
The Enneagram is credited for more than it can accomplish and blamed for less than it can do. It’s not THE answer. But it is AN answer.
A.J. Sherrill strikes a good balance in this book. Sherrill shows we can use the Enneagram to root our identity in Christ, to work with our personality, and to create a life of wholeness and beauty.
As Sherrill does in his Enneagram workshops, he also states in The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation these four agreements:
1. Remember that you are not a number.
2. Refuse to become branded as the Enneagram person, church, or organization.
3. Resist the urge to type another person.
4. Reclaim the Enneagram as a means, not an end.
For each of the nine Enneagram types, Sherrill lists the following (as an example, I’ll use Type 6):
* Type 6
* One Word: Questioner
* Survival Strategy: “I must be secure and safe.”
* Full Description
* Lies they believe: “It is not okay to trust yourself.”
* Truth they need: “You are safe.”
He later lists discipleship spiritual practices for each Enneatype: downstream practices (these come naturally) and upstream practices (harder to do).
For example, he suggests Type 2s practice hospitality as their downstream practice and to use centering prayer as their upstream practice. The day in the church calendar they should heed is Maundy Thursday (the day Jesus washed feet).
This book isn’t an exhaustive resource to fully explain the Enneagram. But if you already know your number, it can help you discover specific ways to practice it.
In the conclusion, Sherrill says,
“There are many things the Enneagram cannot do. Its power is limited. However, as a means toward self-reflection, spiritual practice, marriage, leadership, and evangelism, it is an incredibly valuable tool. . . .
The Enneagram isn’t Jesus, but it can help you learn how to be more like him.”
My thanks to Net Galley for the review copy of this book.
Sarah F, Librarian
This is a great book for any Christian who already has some knowledge of the Enneagram and would like to dive deeper in using it as a means of spiritual formation. I found it to be accessible and helpful.
Kate C, Reviewer
The cover, format, and graphs and structure within the book are well done and artful. The breakdown of the enneagram through the lens of spirituality isn’t unique but the approach within this book feels fresh and new. It’s a quick read if you focus on your own enneagram only but tools within allow you to categorize those you share your time with for a deeper look into their perspective.
Ryan W, Reviewer
AJ Sherrill does a great job approaching the Enneagram from a pastoral perspective. He gives thoughtful insight into each Enneagram type from his years of experience and helps the reader to identify with the type most likely to fit. Common strengths and weakness are laid out with care to help readers grow not only as individuals, but also in their relationships to others and God. He provides the commentary you would expect from a spiritual director for each type, giving the reader reason to return again and again to info that’s relevant at different points along the never ending path of spiritual development.
Thanks to NetGalley and Brazos Press for an advanced copy of this book.
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