The Marriage School, Inc

The Program

Meeting Locations

& Schedule

Format & Topics

Cost & Child Care

Testimonials

FAQ's

What is The Third Option?

Some married couples can see only two painful options: suffering in an unhappy marriage or enduring the devastation of divorce. We offer The Third Option – a practical and proven path to a healthy, functional marriage.
The Third Option is a 14-week skills-based group program that helps couples build stronger, more fulfilling marriages. Each of the weekly sessions covers a different topic on a specific skill or tool to develop better understanding, communication, trust, sensitivity, listening skills and more which create a deeper, more intimate relationship. Each topic demonstrates that we all lean towards one of two extremes that don’t work. Then we show you the third option that does work.
An educational group where attendees learn, encourage and support each other, Third
Option is led by skilled facilitators and by couples who have overcome serious challenges in their marriages. Each session stands alone, so couples can start anytime in the cycle of topics, and catch up later if they happen to miss a week or two.

There are several factors that make The Third Option program unique:

PRACTICAL: The materials provide a clear understanding of different topics. You can immediately start applying the principles.
ONGOING: We are always here for you. The class is
offered year round. You can join at any time.
SAFE: You will always receive a warm welcome. You
will never be pushed to talk or disclose anything.
Confidentiality is of the utmost importance to us.
PERSONAL: We care about your marriage and are
always ready to speak with you individually or as a
couple. We are, however, not counselors and will refer
you to a professional if needed.
ENCOURAGING: You will hear many real life stories to
which you will be able to relate. As you apply the skills,
you will begin to experience success.
SUCCESSFUL: We are not a miracle cure, but if you are
ready to make changes, commit to and invest in your
marriage, there is nothing in the way to a beautiful path
of transformation.

CINCINNATI

Cincinnati Area

Lebanon, OH

Wednesdays 6:30pm to 8:30pm

IN PERSON OR ONLINE

Lebanon Presbyterian Church

123 N. East St.

Lebanon, OH 45036

Cincinnati, OH

Thursdays 6:30pm to 8:30pm

IN PERSON OR ONLINE

Montgomery Community Church

11251 Montgomery Rd.

Cincinnati, OH 45249

You can join us any week!

5/11 Building a Climate of Respect

5/18 Responsibility & the Blame Game

5/25 Understanding Expectations

6/1 Re-defining the Power Struggle

6/8 - NO MEETING

6/15 Control Issues

6/22 Listening Beyond the Words

6/29 Personality Differences

7/6 - NO MEETING

7/13 Childhood & Emotional Baggage

7/20 Handling Anger Constructively

7/27 Speaking the Truth in Love

8/3 How to Fight Fair: Conflict Resolution

8/10 Feelings and The Hurt Spiral

8/17 Forgiveness & Repair

8/24 Rebuilding Trust

Upcoming Third Option Sessions:

Fall Semester Lebanon: Starts in September

5/12 Building a Climate of Respect

5/19 Responsibility & the Blame Game

5/26 Understanding Expectations

6/2 Re-defining the Power Struggle

6/9 - NO MEETING

6/16 Control Issues

6/23 Listening Beyond the Words

6/30 Personality Differences

7/7 - NO MEETING

7/14 Childhood & Emotional Baggage

7/21 Handling Anger Constructively

7/28 Speaking the Truth in Love

8/4 How to Fight Fair: Conflict Resolution

8/11 Feelings and The Hurt Spiral

8/18 Forgiveness & Repair

8/25 Rebuilding Trust

Upcoming Third Option Sessions:

Fall Semester Montgomery: Starts in September

FORMAT

HOMEWORK

TOPICS

The two-hour program includes three important ingredients: discussion, teaching and sharing couples.

Discussion is a review of the previous week’s topic and chance to share about the homework.

You are free to share or just listen. We will never put you on the spot.
Expressing our own thoughts helps us to process and grow in awareness.
Sharing our experiences (good and bad) encourages others.
Hearing others reminds us that we are not alone and that our issues are normal.
The group is safe and everything is kept confidential.

Teaching is a presentation of the weekly topic.

The concepts are simple and yet powerful when put into practice.
Because the program repeats three times each year, you can easily make up missed topics.
Many couples attend several consecutive sessions.
Teachers rotate, so you can hear the same topic again, but gain something new each time.

The Sharing Couples are staff members who share their own challenges and victories.

Each week a different couple shares their story.
Hearing how other couples overcame their struggles imparts hope.
Perfect marriages don’t exist, but strong, happy marriages are possible.
It becomes apparent that hard work and commitment really do pay off.

We believe in homework. Some say this is the most powerful aspect of the program. All of us have to practice what we’ve been taught in order to move from mere concept to actual skill. You will receive a set of questions for reflection on every topic (no grading, no handing in though).

The Third Option is a powerful program, but no miracle cure. To a great extent the success of the program is in your hands; this is just the honest and simple reality. It is your job to pray about, journal, meditate on, and practice - on your own and with your spouse in order to develop relationship skills. As with any new skill, failure is an important part of learning. When you fail, simply start over.

We know how full your schedules are. We also know that life itself will provide “practice opportunities”. We do however strongly suggest that you set a specific weekly time (or several) to reflect on the lesson by yourself, discuss your insights with your spouse and practice the skills together.

The Third Option teaches the skills and tools to address any issue in your relationship. We hardly ever mention sex, money, in-laws or any other specific issue in the teachings (though you will hear plenty of stories). Rather, we show you how to approach these issues by learning a set of skills.

The Third Option Topics:

Building a climate of respect
Responsibility and the blame game
Understanding expectations
Redefining the power struggle
Control issues
Listening beyond the words
Personality differences
Childhood issues and emotional baggage
Handling anger constructively
Speaking the truth in love
How to fight fair: conflict resolution
Feelings and the hurt cycle
Forgiveness and repair
Rebuilding trust

Cost

The Marriage School is a Christian 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is supported entirely through donations. Your donations help us grow the ministry, save marriages and impact entire families and communities.

You can give ONLINE HERE (ONE-TME GIFTS OR MONTHLY) or via check made out to:
The Marriage School, Inc.
P.O. Box 53291
Cincinnati, OH 45253

Child Care
Childcare is only available on Wednesdays in Lebanon at this time. We will let you know as soon as there is a change in Montgomery.

Testimonials

Here are some things couples say about the ministry:

“It saved my marriage and I'm very grateful for it, as are my 3 children who have both of us raising them and showing them what a strong marriage looks like.

“I think every couple should go through it!”

“I refer to the program daily.”

“More than anything, God has opened my eyes to the importance of holiness in marriage as opposed to happiness.”

“I was so sick of my spouse when we first came to the program. I really came to have my husband ‘fixed’. God showed me so clearly all the things I had to take responsibility for in the marriage. This helped with forgiveness, respect and healing of childhood issues. I now appreciate my marriage and I am working for my marriage.”

“The program's foundations and principles are very sound, the presentations excellent and relevant, and the approach powerful. In non-spiritual terms, it’s genius. In spiritual terms, it’s anointed and we thank God it exists.”

“Fantastic program. I would recommend it to anyone.”

“It is great to have the support & knowledge that the Marriage School offers. It helped give us the tools to overcome.”

Is this a religious program?
Anyone can attend and you can expect a warm welcome from all of our staff no matter what your beliefs. The Third Option emphasizes practical relationship skills that are beneficial to anyone regardless of their faith.
What if we already have a strong marriage?
The Third Option offers a loving and fun community where solid marriages can get a "tune up” The program can help your strong marriage grow stronger and deeper.
What if we are in serious trouble?
The Third Option has helped many couples work through serious betrayals, hurts and struggles. You will hear couples share about how they overcame affairs, divorce, abortion, alcoholism and other serious issues. You will learn about taking responsibility for yourself, about childhood issues, about the process of forgiveness and rebuilding trust.
What if we are already divorced?
Even divorced couples have found their way back together through The Third Option. Consider it a real possibility to find each other again on the other side of divorce.
Is Third Option a counseling service?
Third Option is not a counseling service. It is an educational group where we learn and encourage and support each other. The Third Option is led by skilled facilitators and by couples who have overcome serious issues in their own marriages and are giving back to others.
How much does Third Option cost?
We ask for a $20 per week donation ($10 per individual) and we utilize the honor system. There is a donation basket at the registration table or you can make your donation online. If this amount causes a financial hardship, simply speak to us and we will make arrangements so that you can continue to attend The Third Option for as long as you need to.
What about our kids? Do you have childcare?
We have childcare for infants to 12 year olds provided by the hosting church. Childcare is free for the Third Option participants. If your child has special needs, we ask that you contact us at least one week in advance to assess and plan for that need.
Do I have to attend every session?
Third Option is designed to be helpful in one-week increments. Each week is a stand-alone discussion and teaching. Attending regularly is very helpful, but not required. Many times couples may miss a week and then make up that topic during the next session. Many couples find it takes two or even three cycles to build their marriage to the level they seek.
Will we have to give our names?
We provide name tags and people only put their first name on the tag. We ask for your email in order to send homework via the internet, but you are always free to decline.
What if we cannot come together? Or we don't WANT to come together?
Couples come on different nights for many reasons: conflicting schedules, kids’ activities or because of hurt and pain in the marriage. Attending separately is still helpful. Ultimately, after couples see there is hope for healing and learn new ways to handle their issues, they try to attend together to work on their marriage in a unified way.
What if things get worse while we are attending the Third Option?
We firmly believe the Third Option will help your marriage. However, it is possible things can initially deteriorate when couples begin to be transparent and honest with themselves and each other in a new way. Giving each other permission to fail and try again while learning new skills is essential to ultimate success. With persistent application of the tools and skills, most couples see transformation in themselves and their marriages.
Do we have to actually talk about our problems?
We consider all information shared by everyone at the Third Option confidential. You can come and listen without the pressure to share. There is no requirement to speak in discussion groups...you can listen to the facilitators and other couples while you reflect on your own situation.