BENEFIT CONCERT SPONSORS:
The Program
Meeting Locations
& Schedule
Format & Topics
Cost & Child Care
Testimonials
FAQ's
What is The Third Option?
There are several factors that make The Third Option program unique:
CINCINNATI
Cincinnati Area
Cincinnati, OH
Thursdays 6:30 to 8:30pm
Currently ONLINE ONLY
Montgomery Community Church
11251 Montgomery Rd
Cincinnati, Ohio 45249
Lebanon, OH
Sundays 4:00 to 6:00pm
IN PERSON OR ONLINE
Lebanon Presbyterian Church
123 N. East St.
Lebanon, OH 45036
You can join us any week!
You can join us any week!
1/14 Building a Climate of Respect
1/21 Responsibility & the Blame Game
1/28 Understanding Expectations
2/4 Re-defining the Power Struggle
2/11 Control Issues
2/18 Listening Beyond the Words
2/25 Personality Differences
3/4 Childhood & Emotional Baggage
3/11 Handling Anger Constructively
3/18 Speaking the Truth in Love
3/25 How to Fight Fair: Conflict Resolution
4/8 Feelings and The Hurt Spiral
4/15 Forgiveness & Repair
4/22 Rebuilding Trust
Upcoming Third Option Sessions:
Fall Semester Montgomery : September through December 17th
1/17 Building a Climate of Respect
1/24 Responsibility & the Blame Game
1/31 Understanding Expectations
2/7 Re-defining the Power Struggle
2/14 Control Issues
2/21 Listening Beyond the Words
2/28 Personality Differences
3/7 Childhood & Emotional Baggage
3/14 Handling Anger Constructively
3/21 Speaking the Truth in Love
3/28 How to Fight Fair: Conflict Resolution
4/11 Feelings and The Hurt Spiral
4/18 Forgiveness & Repair
4/25 Rebuilding Trust
Upcoming Third Option Sessions:
Fall Semester Lebanon: September through December
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.
Teaching is a presentation of the weekly topic.
The Sharing Couples are staff members who share their own challenges and victories.
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:
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
Due to the pandemic, we are unable to offer childcare at this time.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
LEARN MORE - FAQ
Cincinnati- 513-238-9519
THANK YOU!
TO OUR CONCERT SPONSORS
The Marriage School is a caring community that supports each husband and wife in their marriage covenant through life-changing programs made affordable for anyone.
NEW! Online simulcast meetings.
Attend on-line from anywhere or in person in the greater Cincinnati area.
Thursdays 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm EST | Sundays 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm EST
Cincinnati 513-238-9519
REGISTER NOW
Cincinnati 513-238-9519
The Marriage School, Inc
DONATE BY CHECK:
The Marriage School
P.O. Box 53291
Cincinnati, OH 45253
Questions or comments?