Many colleges and universities, especially in Norway, Iceland, and Australia, with their isolated towns, use e-mail and listserver discussion groups to teach courses. I don't think so. Discipling at its best requires interaction with another Christian or a Christian community. Since it is not just knowledge we are imparting, but a lifestyle and new behaviors, these must be shared and modeled life to life. Listserver discussion groups, when well-run, can create a sense of community.
People share brief messages about topics of mutual interest.
They get to know one another, even though they've never met in the flesh. There is a cyber-intimacy which I believe the Lord can use to grow disciples. Again, it must be a prime objective to get participants hooked up with mature believers where they are. University educators have found that the optimum size for a class discussion group is 10 to 25. Less than 10 don't keep up a stimulating discussion.