Matthew Stephen Brown - A Book Called YOU: Understanding the Enneagram from a Grace-Filled, Biblical Perspective

PRAISE FOR A BOOK CALLED YOU

If you truly want to become a better person, understanding why you do what you do is a key to changing what you do and how you do it. True transformation starts in the heart. Your heart is the Bibles term for the center of your motivations. Jesus explained in Matthew 15:19 that the source of all thats broken, incomplete, and wrong in our lives is found in our hearts. Jeremiah adds that the problem is our hearts are deceptive (Jeremiah 17:9). We lie to ourselves more than we lie to anyone elseand that refusal to face the truth about ourselves causes problems in our relationship to both God and others.

Only God knows us completely as we really are. This is why we need Gods perspective to understand ourselves. Other tools can teach us a lot about ourselves, but our understanding will always be incomplete without the perfect insights from Gods Word.

Thats why Im excited about this new book by Matt Brown. Laying a solid biblical foundation of scriptural insight, my friend Matt shows why devout Christians have used the Enneagram for centuries as a tool to grow in Christlike discipleship. For ages, saints have used this simple construct to help themselves and others understand how God has uniquely shaped each of us for a special purpose and the pitfalls that accompany every strength. This book is going to help you a lot!

At the beginning of his famous theological masterpiece The Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin wrote these words: Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and the knowledge of ourselves. Calvin went on to explain that we cant really know ourselves without knowing God, and we cant really know the fullness of God without knowing ourselves This book will help you with both tasks.

RICK WARREN AUTHOR OF THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE

There are two great days in everyones lives: the day they were bornand the day they figure out why. Never dull and always honest, Matt has written more than a book. A Book Called YOU is a call to live out a life of purpose and passion! You and your world may never be the same.

RAY JOHNSTON FOUNDING PASTOR OF BAYSIDE CHURCH IN GRANITE BAY, CALIFORNIA

Its the number one reason people fail to continue as global missionaries: they cant relate to others. God wants to open the eyes of the nations to the gospel, but first He has to open the eyes of the person closest to youYOU!

Over the last decade, Ive seen Pastor Matt Brown and his wife, Tammy, live out an authentic vision for the Christian life and transform our church by using both a biblical lens and tools like the Enneagram in order to help people heal, grow, and serve. I can now take all of my staff through years of teaching material because its found in Matts new book A Book Called YOU. Ive seen God use this message to reveal blind spots and break unhealthy sin patterns holding people back from the lives they were called by God to live.

Just as James called us to look at ourselves intently and embrace what God shows us, we all need a mirror. I believe A Book Called YOU is a mirror God has given the church to help us see ourselves through the lens of gospel truth so that He might bring peace to our hearts and joy to the world.

CLAUDE HICKMAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE TRAVELING TEAM AND AUTHOR OF LIVE LIFE ON PURPOSE, ITS ALL BACKWARD, AND REBEL

2021 Matthew Stephen Brown

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by W Publishing, an imprint of Thomas Nelson.

Thomas Nelson titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please email SpecialMarkets@ThomasNelson.com.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois, 60189. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version). ESV Text Edition: 2016. Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scriptures marked NIV are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Any Internet addresses, phone numbers, or company or product information printed in this book are offered as a resource and are not intended in any way to be or to imply an endorsement by Thomas Nelson, nor does Thomas Nelson vouch for the existence, content, or services of these sites, phone numbers, companies, or products beyond the life of this book.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021942821

ISBN 978-0-7852-4085-3 (softcover)

ISBN 978-0-7852-4086-0 (eBook)

Epub Edition July 2021 9780785240860

Printed in the United States of America

21 22 23 24 25 LSC 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Information about External Hyperlinks in this ebook

Please note that the endnotes in this ebook may contain hyperlinks to external websites as part of bibliographic citations. These hyperlinks have not been activated by the publisher, who cannot verify the accuracy of these links beyond the date of publication

To Tammy, my amazing wife, who allowed God to bring

healing to our marriage by using the Enneagram. To my three

wonderful kids. To Sandals Church, which has followed me

as I have learned to be a pastor. And to Lori Zimbardi. This

book is a testament to who you are and the talent you have.

CONTENTS

1. 1. The Prodigal Sons Older Brother (Luke 15)
      Practice makes perfect, and for Ones, perfection is the primary goal. But what happens when the desire to do what is right goes wrong?
2. 1. Martha (Luke 10)
      Even Batman needs Robin, and the world wouldnt function without Twos. But what happens when Twos need care too?
3. 1. The Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19)
      If at first you dont achieve, try, try again. Threes get things done, but what happens when they cant do it all?
4. 1. King Saul (1 Samuel 10)
      Fours are creative, deep thinkers who want to be inspired and inspire others. But what happens when they become ruled by their emotions?
5. 1. Nicodemus (John 3)
      Fives are thoughtful, competent people who desire to uncover the truth. But what happens when they become detached and avoidant?
6. 1. Peter (Matthew 14)
      Sixes are trustworthy, compassionate people who desire to be safe. But what happens when they only see danger and are dictated by fear?
7. 1. King David (2 Samuel 6)
      Sevens are versatile, inspiring people who reflect Gods joy. But what happens when the life of the party struggles with impulsiveness and overindulgence?