The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation: How Knowing Ourselves Can Make Us More Like Jesus Paperback – September 15, 2020

This book is a work of art with vivid images and motiving challenges throughout. Thoughtfully written, AJ Sherrill weaves truths for the reader to examine the enneagram number they identify with, not their “neighbor’s” number. It gives permission to accept ones talents and celebrate the way we each bring gifts to this world in our individual personality. It additionally debunks misunderstandings surrounding this tool and addresses the enneagram is not to be used as an excuse for unhealthy personality bend and tendencies. It’s overall message is to better understand self and to seek growth. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to those looking for insightful perspective of identity, personality, gifts and talents we all offer this world in each of our unique core numbers.

Loved this book. I did with a small group class. We had people who had never heard of the enneagram through others (like me) who have been long time users of this spiritual tool. Full of spiritual practices for each type to use to move from unhealthy and average levels to healthy and mature ways of being. Easy to understand and beautifully explained to help us introduce the enneagram responsibly into our lives and to share with others. This is a book for the “hard work” that transforms us, not for silliness.

I ate up Sherrill's new book The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation. It was written beautifully with depth of teaching (drawing on theology and personal experience) as well as practical spiritual formation exercises for each enneagram type. He provides a fresh perspective on the enneagram's relevance to modern-day discipleship and evangelism. I highly recommend this book for those who want to grow in Christian formation.

I appreciate the author’s concepts & word pictures, e.g. ‘floating down a river vs. moving up’. Sherrill does not waste words, and because of this his concepts are clear, simple and accessible. My only criticism is that there’s a lot more that can be said about ‘owning’ our Enneagram type and persistently moving toward integration. But maybe that would be too complicating?

The text is clear and gets to the heart of the Enneagram from a Christian perspective. I would recommend book.

I really enjoyed the way AJ shared this tool. I'm definitely intrigued and will read this book again for deeper study. I like how he repeated different aspects to really express his view and to encourage the reader to marinate on that view.

If you think you know a lot about the enneagram, this book will help you uplevel your knowledge dramatically! Absolutely love it!

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]3 stars = Good/solid/fineI was hoping for a rich spiritual growth resource, but this didn't deliver like I hoped. There were a couple chapters I enjoyed where the information felt new/different. One chapter was on spiritual practices for each type, one that would be a natural fit and another that was designed to challenge the type in a way that was important for growth. The other chapter I liked was Bible stories and passages that would be good for each type and the reason they were chosen. I could see those chapters being part of a spiritual director or therapist's repertoire for counseling. The rest was fine, but not anything really new that I don't already have in other resources.For readers looking for spiritual growth recommendations by type, I would go with Spiritual Rhythms for the Enneagram instead.

Sherrill presents the Enneagram as a valuable and practical tool for self-understanding and spiritual transformation. The tool itself is neutral. The important thing is how one uses it.This book provides a lot of wisdom for how the reader can use the tool (Enneagram) to be aware of the what and why of our shortcomings, and key strategies for engaging in renewal. Be prepared to put in the effort though, because the book is a guide. You still have to choose to walk alongside.