The Gospel for Investigators: A 40-Day Devotional for Curious, Competent Observers: (Enneagram Type 5)

Enneagram #5

by Tyler Zach, Beth McCord (foreword), Jeff McCord (foreword)

What if you didn’t have to know everything before taking action?

For the Enneagram Five—the Investigator—life is all about learning. While our ignorant and intrusive world desperately needs your patience and sound wisdom, your quest for knowledge may occasionally lead to isolation and living inside your head.

Certified Enneagram Coach and pastor, Tyler Zach, offers this 40-day devotional to help you feel seen and heard by God while helping you navigate the complexity of relationships in your home and workplace.

Inside, you’ll learn how to cultivate emotional intelligence, become more generous with your time and resources, follow contemplation with action, own your power and assertiveness, and let go of the need for absolute certainty to embrace the wonder and mystery of God. Be prepared to encounter the God of infinite wisdom who perfectly understands you and invites you to live life to the fullest rather than observing it from a safe distance.

188 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 21, 2024

About the author

Tyler Zach is an author and Enneagram coach with over 18 years of ministry experience. He is the co-founding pastor of One Hope Church in Omaha, Nebraska, where he resides with his lovely wife and two adopted sons. He started an Instagram account (@GospelForEnneagram) which has grown to 46K+ followers. Visit www.tylerzach.com to grab his free resources such as his Enneagram self-tying guide, 5-day devotionals, or ebook called "Should Christians Use The Enneagram?"

Reviews

[Kristin Whittaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved having a devotional book full of scripture but also written specifically for my personality. I’ve often felt disconnected and like I can’t relate to the lessons in devotional books but having one written for a Type 5 like me was great! Each day felt like it was written just for me. I really enjoyed how each day provided a prayer and scripture to keep you connected to God.
Great book for any type 5s looking for a way to grow in who they are while growing closer to God.

[Kevin Orth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very light on details, more literal with theological perspectives. The book is OK and I am glad this was borrowed from the library.

[Steve Whitford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tyler Zach is one of the best Enneagram thinkers around. He's measured in his approach, well researched and has put in the time and effort to understand Enneagram 5s.

This is perhaps the hardest book in the series to write because 5s are perhaps the most misunderstood type on the Enneagram and the least likely to disclose information about themselves.

For 5s new to the enneagram or those who have been around it for a while, he's touched on some well understood elements of Enneagram 5s that will be illuminating. For 5s who have immersed themselves in the Enneagram, the Scripture references in each chapter and the pointing to various Enneagram thinkers provides ample opportunity for self reflection and further podcasting and reading.

One of the ways the book would really be useful is to read it with a friend or family member. For 5s, this is an opportunity to let people in to know more about you and to discuss ways in which you are or aren't like some of the called out 5 characteristics in the book. For people who aren't 5s, asking a 5 you know to read it with you could provide valuable insight.

As George Box says, all models are wrong but some are useful. As with all types, not everything in this book will apply to every 5. But understanding the similarities and differences is a worthy and useful exercise on the journey to sell knowledge.

Thanks for all the hard work in getting to know Type 5s and understand them better Tyler.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This devotional is spot on! Tyler gets inside the head of a Type 5 in the best of ways during this 40 day journey. I felt seen and understood. Each day has a short reading that is peppered with stories, quotes, and scripture. The reflection questions at the end of each day are gold and worthy of deep reflection. Tyler weaves the gospel throughout showing the unique way that God has created Type 5s. Tyler gives language to the distinct strengths that Type 5s bring to relationships and teams, while also gently revealing some blind spots and areas of growth to consider.

I highly recommend this devotional to any Type 5 - whether you are new to the Enneagram or a seasoned student. This is also a perfect resource for anyone who loves a Type 5 and wants to understand this personality more. Many of the concepts in this book have sparked great conversation with my husband about the different ways we see the world.

[Sarah Pace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many Christian books that explore the enneagram can get weird, either bogged down or distracted by the new age concepts that can get mixed in. This book was very different than others I’ve read- it stays beautifully vertical and centered on both scripture and God’s sovereignty in answering the question of “who am I?” God created me to investigate, explore, learn, and ask questions, and it was wonderful to have this affirmed and framed as glorifying to him.

[Clint WalkingStick ᎤᏓᎸᏄᏍᏘ · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you know your Enneagram Type and you love Jesus, get this devotional. It was great and I enjoyed every section!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never felt so seen. I highly recommend the one for your own Enneagram type.