Putting Personality Type and Discipleship in Partnership for Spiritual Growth

Each term generally gets referred to by its letter, which is how the combinations are most commonly known. Based on how you prefer to respond in each of those scenarios, you determine (usually with the help of an assessment and a certified MBTI professional) which 4-letter combination best describes your personality preferences.

Understanding your unique combination of personality preferences through the MBTI assessment can help you to know ways to approach various spiritual practices that you will be able to engage with more consistently because they fit your personality preferences better. Introverts are more likely to prefer spiritual practices that emphasize solitude and reflection, while extraverts will likely seek out spiritual experiences that develop community or deepen relationships. 

It’s important to note that personality type and personality traits are not the same thing. 

Personality traits are something that we can develop and work on throughout our lives – these are things like steadfastness, honesty, responsibility, etc. They often line up with the fruits of the Spirit (although they aren’t always the same thing!). Personality type is something that is considered to be innate – as far back as Aristotle, the theory has existed that we are born with a certain way of “seeing” the world and interacting with it. 

Personality type is something that while innate, is not set in stone.

Just because I am an extravert (and let me tell you, I am most definitely an extravert!) doesn’t mean I can’t do introverted things, or that I don’t know how to be on my own. Just because I prefer to make decisions based on my “gut” (I’m a Feeler) doesn’t mean I can’t also use logic and problem-solving tools to make an informed decision about a situation (areas where Thinkers are most comfortable).  What knowing my preferences does is help me understand how I respond, how others might respond differently, and how to bridge the gap between us. It can also help me identify areas where I may need to develop additional skills or “tools” or even rely on others for their insight or “innate” ability in a particular area where I am not as comfortable. 

It’s kind of like we are all pieces of a puzzle that God created to fit together! 

Personality assessment can be an opening discussion starter with new acquaintances, in building relationships with friends, and even in navigating conflict. Understanding how personality works can also help us be more sensitive to how we interact with others when sharing the gospel.  

Understanding my personality type helps me to know why I prefer discipleship practices that are more community oriented, but it also reminds me that I need to be intentional about scheduling/developing my “alone” times with God.  I like things to be scheduled and orderly, but sometimes I need to be willing to let the Spirit move and be spontaneous (this is the one that God probably challenges me with the most!)

God has created each one of us uniquely, and we each have a role to play in the body of Christ. We are meant to support each other and to encourage one another as we walk along the path of discipleship, and understanding how we interact with the world around us (and how others do as well!) is one more way we can do that better.