Focus on repentance?

In his commentary on this week’s lesson, Dr. Sam Tullock mentions that Joel is quoted 39 times in the New Testament. Mark Rathel says the meaning of Joel—“Yahweh is God”—summarizes the message of the book. And her lesson commentary, Kathryn Aragon likens repentance—a change in thinking—to that of peeling thru the layers of an onion: both bring tears. Her commentary helps me understand one approach to this lesson is to focus on repentance. While it’s more comfortable to focus on God’s mercy, it may be more necessary to take up the issue of repentance.

Everyone is aware that peeling an onion can cause tears, but can that be used as an illustration to help members understand the nature of true repentance?