discipleship

American  

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

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of discipleship

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

Example Sentences

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

“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

“They need to wrestle with whether they had a part systemically in the long chain of discipleship in producing someone that could do something like this.”

From Washington Post • Mar. 17, 2021

The great and good men of the past, the virtuous and the wise, serve as models to the young, and often arouse in them an enthusiastic admiration, a passionate discipleship.

From The Moral Instruction of Children by Adler, Felix