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How God Can Use the Enneagram to Help Me

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered around him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables saying, “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” Matthew 13:1-9 ESV

The problem is not:

The Enneagram is a tool that can help me identify my type of soil

Get the facts at any price, and hold on tightly to all the good sense you can get. PROVERBS 23:23 TLB

The enneagram is a tool that can help me improve my soil

“Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds. Matthew 13:18 NLT

The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. Matthew 13:19 NLT

The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. Matthew 13:20-21 NLT

The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. Matthew 13:22 NLT

The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” Matthew 13:23 NLT

The enneagram is a tool that Jesus can use to change my life for the better

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT

In this Series, invite Jesus to use the Enneagram as a tool to:

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Romans 12:9 NLT

Jesus said, “…the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 ESV

The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing. Proverbs 20:4 ESV

Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 ESV

We are not all promised the same blessings, but we are promised a blessing.

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a moment to slow down, taking a few deep breaths. Picture yourself, in the midst of your own beauty and brokenness, and ask God to reveal how he views you (shortcomings and all). As you consider his deep love for you, his delight in you, and the fact that he will never reject you, how do you feel? What obstacles do you currently face that get in the way of comprehending God’s overwhelming love for you? What do you currently believe is true about God loving you? What factors or events in your life play into your beliefs about this? Take a few minutes to write your responses in the space below. Close your time by asking God for the honesty and courage to be real with yourself, God and others as you engage with this series.

Discussion Questions

  1. Spend the first few minutes of group time doing the Personal Reflection Guide (linked on the sermon notes). It might be helpful to play some quiet music while your group engages with this.
  2. REAL WITH SELF: Share with the group some of the things that stood out to you during your personal reflection time above.
  3. REAL WITH GOD: How do you view God? Is he mysterious? Powerful? Kind? Loving? Which attributes of God are you most drawn to, and what about those attributes draws you to God?
  4. REAL WITH OTHERS: How has your knowledge of the Enneagram (or if you’re unfamiliar with it, your anticipated knowledge of the Enneagram) helped you move from a place of judgment to a place of compassion?
  5. TAKE ACTION: Take a moment for YOU this week. Check out the new daily study in the Library section of the Sandals Church app. It's where you and the group can learn how to use the Enneagram to become more real with yourself, God and others.