Does discipleship equate to a series of classroom-based courses?

In this video, Paul Thompson raises questions about the nature of discipleship. He challenges the idea of discipleship as a classroom-based learning experience, akin to signing up for a college course. Thompson argues that discipleship isn't as simple or sterile as attending a series of classes and advancing through levels until graduation. Instead, he suggests that discipleship is not that simple.

Thompson paints a picture of discipleship as a real-life journey, a shared experience between the disciple and the discipler. He emphasizes that both parties in this relationship realize that they're in this together. This perspective shifts focus from a structured learning approach to an experience-based model, highlighting the dynamic, ongoing process of discipleship.

1 Corinthians 9:24 (NKJV): "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it."

I just don't think that we can necessarily pat ourselves on the back and say that we've successfully discipled people by a series of classes that an individual can take. Like you would sign up for a college course, Discipleship 101, Discipleship 102. Eventually you move into your sophomore level discipleship and to your junior level and finally you're in your final year of ready to graduate and be be called a disciple. I just don't think it works that simple. It's not that clean.

It's not that sterile. It's real life journeying with somebody and both the discipler and the disciple realize that we're in this together.