discipleship

American  

[dih-sahy-puhl-ship] / dɪˈsaɪ pəlˌʃɪp /

noun

discipleships plural

1. the condition or situation of being a disciple, a follower, or a student of some philosophy, especially a follower of Christ.

   The priest was known for his lifelong discipleship to St. Thomas Aquinas.

2. the group of original followers of Christ in His lifetime.

   The key to Jesus' discipleship was his personal trust in his disciples.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• discipleships
  plural

Etymology

Origin of discipleship

disciple ( def. ) + -ship ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

discipleship discipleships

NOS members were also discouraged from spending time outside their "discipleship group", including with friends or family, the court heard.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2025

Another uncommitted voter is Mr. Blundell’s mother, Tina Molyneux, who ministers at local churches as well as being head of discipleship and social justice in the diocese of Oxford.

From New York Times ● May 17, 2023

Christian discipleship, he insisted, “would not bring victory for one ideological side or to one policy agenda.”

From Washington Post ● Nov. 23, 2022

“We’re moving into an environment where we think discipleship and life change happens every day, 365 days a year, and in every way from 360 degrees around a person,” Mr. Aden said in an interview.

From Washington Times ● May 18, 2022

It is evident enough that neither we nor our Gospel are desired; and no wonder, when the conditions of discipleship involve so much.

From Things as They Are Mission Work in Southern India by Carmichael, Amy

But Ruskin outlived all discipleships and transcended almost all the prose writers of his period in a style the elements of emotional power in which still preserve their secret.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 6 "English Language" to "Epsom Salts" by Various