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A Book Called YOU: Understanding the Enneagram from a Grace-Filled, Biblical Perspective
Consider the possible Enneagram types of well-known figures in the Bible to discover more about yourself and gain specific wisdom about how and why you are uniquely made. Who am I? Everyone asks that question, no matter their age or status in life. If we’re truly supposed to be real with others, shouldn’t that start by learning how to be real with ourselves? The Enneagram describes nine basic personality styles which can help us better understand who we are and what drives us. When God designed you, He did not create you as a number but as a uniquely created individual. Your Enneagram type can give you great insight into the complexities of yourself and others. A Book Called YOU will show you how a biblical view of self-discovery can improve every part of your life, and Based on his widely successful teaching series "A Series Called You," pastor Matt Brown offers a groundbreaking, entertaining, and heartfelt guide that highlights biblical truths alongside the Enneagram to help us fully embrace who we are and help us love and relate to the people around us.
- GenresChristianNonfiction
240 pages, Paperback
Published October 5, 2021
53 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Stephen Brown
3 books24 followersMatthew Stephen Brown is the lead pastor of Sandals Church in Riverside, California. Sandals Church began in 1997 when Matt and his wife Tammy set out to create a church where people could be real with themselves, God and others.
From its first meeting in the Brown’s living room with eight people, Sandals Church has since grown to reach tens of thousands of people at local campuses throughout Southern California and around the world.
Matt is passionate about the vision of authenticity and helping people understand their own unique beauty and brokenness. He and his wife Tammy have three adult children and reside in Riverside, California.
source: Amazon
From its first meeting in the Brown’s living room with eight people, Sandals Church has since grown to reach tens of thousands of people at local campuses throughout Southern California and around the world.
Matt is passionate about the vision of authenticity and helping people understand their own unique beauty and brokenness. He and his wife Tammy have three adult children and reside in Riverside, California.
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 10, 2022
The enneagram. It’s been the personality popular personality test the past several years. I’ve taken the test a few times and seem to come up with a different number (one of three so at least that’s consistent) every time. What I most appreciated in A Book Called You by Matthew Stephen Brown is that I could clearly see myself in one of the numbers because the author broke it down so well—from both the strengths and the weaknesses sides.
In this book, Brown first introduces readers to the enneagram. Then he goes through each of the numbers. He gives an example of a person or character from the Bible, the strengths of that number, he weaknesses, and how to live with and love that person. He even tells readers what numbers he and his wife and includes some personal anecdotes.
After reading this book, it became clear which number I am in the explanations of strengths and weaknesses. It also gave me insight and understanding into how to appreciate the differences in each of us. In His perfect plan, God made us unique, but sometimes that means we don’t always see eye-to-eye with those who are different than us. A Book Called You helped me celebrate our individuality from a Biblical perspective and rejoice in God’s creation of people.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
In this book, Brown first introduces readers to the enneagram. Then he goes through each of the numbers. He gives an example of a person or character from the Bible, the strengths of that number, he weaknesses, and how to live with and love that person. He even tells readers what numbers he and his wife and includes some personal anecdotes.
After reading this book, it became clear which number I am in the explanations of strengths and weaknesses. It also gave me insight and understanding into how to appreciate the differences in each of us. In His perfect plan, God made us unique, but sometimes that means we don’t always see eye-to-eye with those who are different than us. A Book Called You helped me celebrate our individuality from a Biblical perspective and rejoice in God’s creation of people.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
January 11, 2022
I've been very interested in the Enneagram personality test for some time, but waited until recently to assess what I considered my own type to be. How glad I was to have the opportunity to review Matthew Stephen Brown's A Book Called YOU: Understanding the Enneagram from a Grace-Filled, Biblical Perspective. I loved the author's approach to the Enneagram types. He approaches them with the idea that we're all created by God to love Him, to follow Him, and to use our own gifts for His kingdom. The question of how we will use those gifts--as well as why we're drawn to these ways of living life--are discussed for each of the 9 Enneagram types.
Brown introduces each type with its numeral designation and word description (e.g., Type 3, The Achiever). He shares the type's greatest motivator plus its worst fear. He describes a Biblical character (like Type 3's the Rich Young Ruler), then shows how this person illustrate's that type's behaviors. He explains more about each type's style of living, working, and interacting; then shares what God thinks is awesome about them. He describes their motivators, their besetting sins and fears, and best of all: how each type can live in a real way with themselves, with others, and with God. Also, for others, he shares how we can live with and show love to each type.
I loved reading this book! I learned so much about myself. I know what I do well and what I do poorly. But Brown addresses, better than any other resource I've found, WHY I do those things. I felt I'd gained a level of understanding myself through this book that has first been surprising, but then, comforting. And, I've been exhorted to grow. If you'd like to view the Enneagram types (and yourself) through a Christian life lens, this is a book you'll find incredibly helpful.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Brown introduces each type with its numeral designation and word description (e.g., Type 3, The Achiever). He shares the type's greatest motivator plus its worst fear. He describes a Biblical character (like Type 3's the Rich Young Ruler), then shows how this person illustrate's that type's behaviors. He explains more about each type's style of living, working, and interacting; then shares what God thinks is awesome about them. He describes their motivators, their besetting sins and fears, and best of all: how each type can live in a real way with themselves, with others, and with God. Also, for others, he shares how we can live with and show love to each type.
I loved reading this book! I learned so much about myself. I know what I do well and what I do poorly. But Brown addresses, better than any other resource I've found, WHY I do those things. I felt I'd gained a level of understanding myself through this book that has first been surprising, but then, comforting. And, I've been exhorted to grow. If you'd like to view the Enneagram types (and yourself) through a Christian life lens, this is a book you'll find incredibly helpful.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
February 16, 2023
I have read several books about the enneagram. This one was farthest from the others. Sometimes I felt the information was off compared to Suzanne Stabile, the McCords and Richard Rohr. There were some great takeaways in reference to biblical characters and how to use your number as a Christian. Overall, I would not recommend this book to someone getting started in the enneagram but possibly to someone more familiar with it.
January 11, 2022
This is a great book on the Enneagram from a Christian worldview. I’ve heard of the Enneagram before, but really knew very little about it. I love how in each chapter about the nine different types the author features a person from the Bible who likely had that personality type, it was really helpful, and it was great to see a study of God’s Word intertwined with a study of personality types.
I’ll admit that I haven’t yet figured out which type I am, still working on it, and thinking I might not fit exactly in any one category, but this book taught me a lot about recognizing traits of the different types in people I know, so I know it will help me to understand them better. I definitely anticipate referencing back to this this book many times in the future.
If you’re looking for a great Christian book about the Enneagram I definitely recommend A Book Called You!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
I’ll admit that I haven’t yet figured out which type I am, still working on it, and thinking I might not fit exactly in any one category, but this book taught me a lot about recognizing traits of the different types in people I know, so I know it will help me to understand them better. I definitely anticipate referencing back to this this book many times in the future.
If you’re looking for a great Christian book about the Enneagram I definitely recommend A Book Called You!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
June 1, 2022
oof don’t bother reading this. bestie knows actually nothing about the enneagram and talks about himself the ENTIRE book. not a fan xoxo
January 24, 2023
It was a good read. I just know about the Enneagram from this book. It helps me know myself and other more especially how to love each personality. However, the author kept making repetition, words or phrases, and lots of assumptions. My test showed I am a little bit of everything and I think God can use anyone for his work. We will be whoever He wants us to be if we completely surrender and obey.
August 31, 2022
I have heard about the Enneagram before, but I didn’t know what all it entailed. That’s where A Book Called You comes in!
This book is incredibly insightful, helping me see a different way to look at myself and others around me. I read this alone, but could see this being a wonderful book for a small study group. The combination of faith and personality is truly eye-opening, giving me such understanding! I am now seeing that to truly love others I need to know and understand myself, to dig deep and understand why I make the choices I make, and how I affect other people.
I loved that each chapter highlights a different personality type, and how there is also a parallel to specific Biblical characters that also possess the same said type, showing that all types are represented not only in our world, but in Biblical times as well, a connection that is very neat.
As a study guide, the way the chapters are laid out is very reader-friendly. I would love to go back and dig deeper with my husband, as I can see this being an invaluable resource in my marriage. There are numerous Biblical references that give aid to further study as well, which is greatly appreciated, and can help you go even deeper in your understanding.
I feel like I know myself a little better after reading A Book Called You, and I can see myself going back to reference this text again and again. A wonderful resource!
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from Orchard View Publishing through NetGalley. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
This book is incredibly insightful, helping me see a different way to look at myself and others around me. I read this alone, but could see this being a wonderful book for a small study group. The combination of faith and personality is truly eye-opening, giving me such understanding! I am now seeing that to truly love others I need to know and understand myself, to dig deep and understand why I make the choices I make, and how I affect other people.
I loved that each chapter highlights a different personality type, and how there is also a parallel to specific Biblical characters that also possess the same said type, showing that all types are represented not only in our world, but in Biblical times as well, a connection that is very neat.
As a study guide, the way the chapters are laid out is very reader-friendly. I would love to go back and dig deeper with my husband, as I can see this being an invaluable resource in my marriage. There are numerous Biblical references that give aid to further study as well, which is greatly appreciated, and can help you go even deeper in your understanding.
I feel like I know myself a little better after reading A Book Called You, and I can see myself going back to reference this text again and again. A wonderful resource!
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from Orchard View Publishing through NetGalley. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
February 28, 2022
I was attracted to this book because I’m studying the enneagram for my development and to use for developing characters in my fiction. Using a Biblical approach as a background intrigued me.
This book was about looking at the nine numbers of the ENNEAGRAM from a Biblical perspective. Besides showing the characteristics of Jesus and his teaching with each number, Brown explores the characteristics of a familiar Bible character for each number. It is fascinating to look at the characters in the light of the enneagram and gave me insight into why these characters did the things they did.
Things I liked about this book include Brown’s use of Scripture and often told stories to develop the reader’s understanding of the enneagram.
Why you should read this book. This is one of easiest enneagram books to read. Often enneagram writers will tell you about a friend or relative of theirs when they describe the individual numbers. This is always interesting, but still doesn’t completely draw the reader into comprehension. While Brown use these examples, it was his use of biblical characters whose lives are as familiar to you as your own relatives. For me, this made the characters pop in their numbers. And it provided me with great insight into these characters.
This book lived up to the back cover copy synopsis. The endorsement from Rick Warren is a succinct summary of the book.
This book was about looking at the nine numbers of the ENNEAGRAM from a Biblical perspective. Besides showing the characteristics of Jesus and his teaching with each number, Brown explores the characteristics of a familiar Bible character for each number. It is fascinating to look at the characters in the light of the enneagram and gave me insight into why these characters did the things they did.
Things I liked about this book include Brown’s use of Scripture and often told stories to develop the reader’s understanding of the enneagram.
Why you should read this book. This is one of easiest enneagram books to read. Often enneagram writers will tell you about a friend or relative of theirs when they describe the individual numbers. This is always interesting, but still doesn’t completely draw the reader into comprehension. While Brown use these examples, it was his use of biblical characters whose lives are as familiar to you as your own relatives. For me, this made the characters pop in their numbers. And it provided me with great insight into these characters.
This book lived up to the back cover copy synopsis. The endorsement from Rick Warren is a succinct summary of the book.
February 13, 2022
I first heard about the Enneagram from Pastor Matt Brown while attending Sandals Church. His sermon series and episodes of The Debrief expounding on the Enneagram we enlightening and revolutionary for how I viewed myself, others, and God.
Upon hearing about this book, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it! While it is mostly a compilation of his sermons he does go on to expand some ideas and points.
Regardless, I loved having a tangible copy in my hands that allowed me to highlight and take notes. I recommend readers take the Enneagram test prior to reading this book. It was extremely helpful to have my scores in front of me and really focus on the numbers that make up my major influences. However, that is definitely not necessary as Pastor Matt does a beautiful job of helping anyone discover their number or numbers regardless of having take the test.
If you are looking for a Biblical take on the Enneagram then this is the book for you! Pastor Matt states over and over again, the Enneagram “is simply a tool that helps us understand personalities and remixes the way we approach our relationships with ourselves, others and God.”
I would like to thank NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my pure and honest feedback. However, I must admit that I have already ordered a tangible! It really is that good!
Upon hearing about this book, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it! While it is mostly a compilation of his sermons he does go on to expand some ideas and points.
Regardless, I loved having a tangible copy in my hands that allowed me to highlight and take notes. I recommend readers take the Enneagram test prior to reading this book. It was extremely helpful to have my scores in front of me and really focus on the numbers that make up my major influences. However, that is definitely not necessary as Pastor Matt does a beautiful job of helping anyone discover their number or numbers regardless of having take the test.
If you are looking for a Biblical take on the Enneagram then this is the book for you! Pastor Matt states over and over again, the Enneagram “is simply a tool that helps us understand personalities and remixes the way we approach our relationships with ourselves, others and God.”
I would like to thank NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my pure and honest feedback. However, I must admit that I have already ordered a tangible! It really is that good!
April 24, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
If you are critiquing this book because the author, Matthew Stephen Brown, talks about himself and ties in the Bible then you didn't even read the book cover. This book on the enneagram is explained from a biblical perspective.
I enjoyed this book from start to finish. It had me laughing a lot. And for every number I thought of a person in my life that matched that characteristic. This book is extremely helpful but my absolute favorite part is how in each chapter, Matt Brown explained how to love that specific number.
I would recommend this book if you'd like to get an idea of why you are the way you are and to learn God's purpose for making you that way. Because you have a purpose in this life. We all do.
If you are critiquing this book because the author, Matthew Stephen Brown, talks about himself and ties in the Bible then you didn't even read the book cover. This book on the enneagram is explained from a biblical perspective.
I enjoyed this book from start to finish. It had me laughing a lot. And for every number I thought of a person in my life that matched that characteristic. This book is extremely helpful but my absolute favorite part is how in each chapter, Matt Brown explained how to love that specific number.
I would recommend this book if you'd like to get an idea of why you are the way you are and to learn God's purpose for making you that way. Because you have a purpose in this life. We all do.
August 26, 2024
I love the enneagram so I knew I’d love this book. I appreciated the perspective of the specific person in the Bible that represented each number.
book called you
God: I do not love my children equally but uniquely
Jesus is the surgeon. The enneagram is the tool
We cover ourselves. We aren’t real
How do I perceive life?
How due process what I perceive?
How do I present myself?
Don’t just believe that God loves you, but live like it
The enneagram is not Jesus. It can help. It cannot heal
Jesus makes all things new
1. Get real with yourself. Repent of sin.
2. Get real with God. Only Jesus can help
3. Become real with others.
book called you
God: I do not love my children equally but uniquely
Jesus is the surgeon. The enneagram is the tool
We cover ourselves. We aren’t real
How do I perceive life?
How due process what I perceive?
How do I present myself?
Don’t just believe that God loves you, but live like it
The enneagram is not Jesus. It can help. It cannot heal
Jesus makes all things new
1. Get real with yourself. Repent of sin.
2. Get real with God. Only Jesus can help
3. Become real with others.
November 20, 2021
This book does a great job at breaking down the enneagram in a simple and biblical way. The enneagram is a tool that can be fantastic for personal growth, understanding others, and a great shortcut for those to use in community groups. The book does a good job not putting you in a box but giving you a starting point for understanding how God made you.
March 19, 2022
I know what you’re thinking, another Enneagram book. But let me say this one is more than that. I loved how Matt Brown explained human relationships using the Enneagram as only a tool not a means to better love the people in our lives. His writing is funny and easy and he expresses the heart of all conflict resolution which is Jesus and his healing grace. Highly recommend!
June 3, 2022
If you want to learn about the Enneagram, this is definitely not the place to start. I’d highly suggest another book. The author writes more about himself in each chapter than really getting to the heart of each type. There are pieces of truth (I found value in his identification of the gifts of each type), but I wouldn’t recommend this one overall.
August 11, 2022
My review is biased since I was a member of Pastor Matt Brown's church Sandals for years, listen to his podcast The Debrief, and attended the sermon series on the Enneagram.
With that being said, what I enjoy about this book and Pastor Matt's approach to the Enneagram is examining how each type can be healthy/unhealthy, how the different types reflect aspects of God, and the types in the Bible.
With that being said, what I enjoy about this book and Pastor Matt's approach to the Enneagram is examining how each type can be healthy/unhealthy, how the different types reflect aspects of God, and the types in the Bible.
December 24, 2022
A Book Called YOU: Understanding the Enneagram from a Grace-Filled, Biblical Perspective by Matthew Stephen Brown – I loved reading through this books and spotting trademarks of myself and my loved ones! If you want a book to help you love others (and maybe even yourself) better, this was a fun and insightful book! Happy Reading!
September 5, 2022
Pastor Matt Brown introduced my wife and I to the Enneagram and it has completely changed the way we interact with and see others. This is a great read that will richly bless each and every one of your relationships.
September 1, 2022
Very helpful book understanding what number you might be.
June 2, 2025
A book called you was a cool read. I think the idea of this book is pretty concept.
September 2, 2025
I've always struggled to find myself using the enneagram tool. This helped some.
September 3, 2023
I've been wanting to dig deeper into the Enneagram from a Christian perspective as there are varying opinions on its value and/or whether Christians should even use it at all. Matthew Brown's book approaches the Enneagram from a perspective that it is simply another tool that Christians can use to aide them in their spiritual life. It is something that can show us our strengths and weaknesses but it isn't something the number that we most resemble isn't something we are enslaved to. The reality is that we are always changing and Brown recognizes this when dissecting the Enneagram. With this in mind, Brown frames the book in a sort of devotional way where each number in the Enneagram is analyzed in terms of strengths, weaknesses, ways we relate to ourselves/others/God, and areas for growth. There are also prayers at the end of each number's chapter as well. Brown's book is ultimately a great introduction and devotional material for those who are interested in the Enneagram and how it can impact their walk with the Lord. Brown does a great job of covering each number and connecting it to the Christian life. I gave it three stars not because it isn't a well formatted or a good book, but because it didn't necessarily blow me away or challenge me a ton. Nevertheless, this shouldn't take away from the fact that this is a great introductory book on the Enneagram filled with good spiritual insights for the Christian life.
November 19, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. I love reading up on the enneagram and to find a book that was laced with truth heart was so refreshing! It also 100% confirmed I’m a 2 through and through.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews