discipleship: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Low-FrequencyFormal, primarily Religious/Christian
Quick answer
What does “discipleship” mean?
The state or condition of being a disciple.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state or condition of being a disciple; the position or function of a follower who learns from and adheres to the teachings of a leader, especially in a religious context.
The process of learning, growing in faith, and embodying the teachings of a master or belief system. It implies a committed, active, and lifelong process of following, not just intellectual assent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. The concept is central to both UK and US Christian communities.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be encountered in evangelical or non-conformist circles in the UK, while it is widespread across Protestant denominations and in parachurch language in the US.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to the larger population of evangelical Christians who use the term as a core part of their vocabulary.
Grammar
How to Use “discipleship” in a Sentence
discipleship to [person]discipleship in [faith/context]discipleship of [master/leader]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “discipleship” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The church aims to disciple new believers.
- He was discipled by the local vicar.
American English
- Their small group exists to disciple one another.
- The ministry focused on discipling young adults.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb. No standard form.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb. No standard form.
adjective
British English
- They joined a discipleship course at the cathedral.
- The discipleship model was based on ancient practices.
American English
- She leads a discipleship group at the church.
- They are reading a discipleship handbook.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically in leadership training to mean 'developing devoted followers of a corporate philosophy'.
Academic
Common in theology, religious studies, and history departments when discussing religious movements and spiritual formation.
Everyday
Almost exclusively used by religious individuals discussing their faith practice.
Technical
A technical term in Christian theology and pastoral ministry, referring to the process of spiritual formation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “discipleship”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “discipleship”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “discipleship”
- Confusing 'discipleship' with 'discipline'. While related, 'discipline' is the practice, 'discipleship' is the state/relationship. Using it in completely secular contexts where 'mentorship' or 'training' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
While its origin and most frequent use are in Christian contexts, it can be applied metaphorically to any situation involving a devoted follower learning from a master, such as a philosopher's disciple or a martial arts student. This secular use is rare.
A 'disciple' is a learner or follower. An 'apostle' is a 'sent one' or messenger, often a leader with a mission. In Christianity, the Twelve were both disciples (followers of Jesus) and apostles (sent to spread his message). Discipleship is the state of being a disciple.
Not directly. The noun is 'discipleship'. However, the verb 'to disciple' (meaning to train or mentor someone in discipleship) is used, particularly in evangelical Christian circles.
No. It is a low-frequency, specialised term. Most non-religious native speakers would understand it in context but would seldom use it in daily conversation.
The state or condition of being a disciple.
Discipleship is usually formal, primarily religious/christian in register.
Discipleship: in British English it is pronounced /dɪˈsaɪ.pl̩.ʃɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪˈsaɪ.pəl.ʃɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The way of discipleship (often implies sacrifice)”
- “Take up the cross of discipleship”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A 'disciple' is a pupil. Discipleship is the 'ship' (state/condition) of being that pupil on a long journey.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISCIPLESHIP IS A JOURNEY / PATH. DISCIPLESHIP IS APPRENTICESHIP TO A MASTER CRAFTSMAN. DISCIPLESHIP IS MILITARY TRAINING FOR A SOLDIER.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'discipleship' MOST commonly and naturally used?