Whether it was 10 years ago, five years ago, or even just a few days ago, you've likely taken a personality test at some point in your life. Among the many different personality tests out there, one of the most insightful -- particularly for youth ministry -- is the Enneagram test.
This test helps people discover who they are at a deeper and more independent level, and has been shown to help understand how to relate to your peers and others in your life.
After answering a series of questions, you'll be assigned one of nine distinct personality types, with each number on the Enneagram denoting one type. It is very common to find features of your personality in all of the different personality types, but one of them should stand out as being the closest to your own personality.
For a better understanding of this test and how it may help you in youth ministry, let’s take a look at the key personalities from the Enneagram!
1 The Reformer: This person is the rational, idealistic type: principled, purposeful, self-controlled, and perfectionist.
2 The Helper: The caring, interpersonal type: demonstrative, generous, people-pleasing, and possessive.
3 The Achiever: The success-oriented, pragmatic type: adaptive, excelling, driven, and image-conscious.
4 The Individualist: The sensitive, withdrawn type: expressive, dramatic, self-absorbed, and temperamental.
5 The Investigator: The intense, cerebral type: perceptive, innovative, secretive, and isolated.
6 The Loyalist: The committed, security-oriented type: engaging, responsible, anxious, and suspicious.
7 The Enthusiast: The busy, fun-loving, type: spontaneous, versatile, distractible, and scattered.
8 The Challenger: The powerful, dominating type: self-confident, decisive, willful, and confrontational.
9 The Peacemaker: The easygoing, self-effacing type: receptive, reassuring, agreeable, and complacent
Just seeing the personality descriptions, you likely can guess which number fits you... and even some of your youth in your ministry program!
As you well need, the teenage years are challenging as youth face a number of challenges, and grow and change as a person.
In your role as a youth leader, you may have some tricks up your sleeve to engage and keep them interested. The Enneagram test can serve as another asset for you -- helping you understand what makes each kid tick and how you may be able to relate to them better. Taking it as a group and discussing afterwards can be a valuable activity to grow your youth's bond.
Interested in learning more about the Enneagram and your youth group? Head over to the second blog post in this series, which offers insight into individuals in your youth group and how you can connect with them as they grow in their faith.